title: The mammalian tachykinin ligand-receptor system: an emerging target for central neurological disorders.
abstract: Our understanding of the complex signaling neurophysiology of the central nervous system has facilitated the exploration of potential novel receptor-ligand system targets for disorders of this most complex organ. In recent years, many relatively neglected receptor-ligand systems have been re-evaluated with respect to their ability to potently modulate discrete tracts in the central nervous system. One such system is the tachykinin (previously neurokinin) system. The multiple heptahelical G protein-coupled receptors and neuropeptide ligands that comprise this system may be significantly involved in more central nervous systems actions than previously thought, including sleep disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Machado-Joseph disease. The development of our understanding of the role of the tachykinin receptor-ligand system in higher order central functions is likely to allow the creation of more specific and selective tachykinin-related neurotherapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Receptor Pharmacology Unit, Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pantaleo
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chadwick
authors.forename: Sung-Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Liyun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Bronwen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maudsley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008322:Mammals; D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin; D015320:Tachykinins