title: Sigma receptor modulators: a patent review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sigma receptors are involved in several central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including mood disorders (depression and anxiety), psychosis, schizophrenia, movement disorders (i.e., Parkinson's disease) and memory deficits (i.e., Alzheimer's disease). Recently, the involvement of sigma receptors in neuropathic pain and cancer has also been observed.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review aims at highlighting the research advancements published in the patent literature between 1986 and 2012, dividing patents according to both their time frame and applicants. The review especially focuses on the development of sigma receptor modulators and their application over the years with respect to CNS diseases, neuropathic pain and neurodegenerative pathologies. The literature was sought through Espacenet, Orbit, ISI Web and PubMed databases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In recent years, considerable progress in the knowledge of the biology and pharmacology of sigma receptors has encouraged research on the potential benefits of sigma modulators in a wide range of pathologies. So far, only few potent agonists and antagonists of sigma receptors are in clinical trial for acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases (SA4503 and ANAVEX 2-73) or neuropathic pain (E-52862).
authors: University of Pavia, Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technology Section, Pavia, Italy. simona.collina@unipv.it
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: Collina
authors: Raffaella
authors: R
authors: Gaggeri
authors: Annamaria
authors: A
authors: Marra
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Bassi
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Negrinotti
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Negri
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D010330:Patents as Topic; D017480:Receptors, sigma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017480:Receptors, sigma