title: Functional screening of α7 nicotinic receptor ligands.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, a ligand-gated ion channel, is an attractive drug discovery target in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We have evaluated the various approaches to discovering ligands targeting the α7 nicotinic receptor to define the current paradigm driving drug discovery efforts in this area.
  
  
  METHODS
  Assays using functional read-outs as a consequence of α7 nicotinic receptor activation have been reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Functional assays using fluorescence-based optical methods in combination with direct electrophysiological recordings of channel function currently provide an integrated approach to the discovery of α7 nicotinic receptor targeted ligands.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Discovery Research, Wyeth Research, CN-8000, Princeton, NJ 08543, USA +1 732 274 4193 ; +1 732 274 4755 ; Dunlopj@wyeth.com.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dunlop
authors.forename: Ravikumar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peri
authors.forename: Georg C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Terstappen
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bowlby