Voltage-gated sodium channel blockers for the treatment of chronic pain.
The voltage-gated sodium channels are a family of proteins that control the flow of sodium ions across cell membranes. Considerable data support the hypothesis that hyperexcitability and spontaneous action potential firing in peripheral sensory neurons mediated by voltage-gated sodium channels contribute to the pathophysiology of chronic pain. Sodium channel blockers are, therefore, appealing entities for therapeutic intervention in painful human neuropathies. This review will focus on the latest advances in the development of small molecule sodium channel blockers and their application to the treatment of chronic pain.
Matulenko
Mark A
MA
Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6100, USA.
Scanio
Marc J C
MJ
Kort
Michael E
ME
D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers; D015222:Sodium Channels