title: The therapeutic potential of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) agonists for the treatment of the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia.
abstract: Homomeric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) have implications in the regulation of cognitive processes such as memory and attention, and have shown promise as a therapeutic target for the treatment of the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. Multiple α7 nAChR agonists have entered human trials; however, unfavorable side effects and pharmacokinetic issues have hindered the development of a clinical α7 nAChR agonist. Currently, EVP-6124 is in phase III clinical trials, and several other α7 nAChR agonists (GTS-21 and AQW051) are in earlier stages of development. This review will summarize the recent advances and failures of α7 nAChR agonists in clinical trials for the treatment of the aforementioned pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beinat
authors.forename: Samuel D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Banister
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kassiou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D064569:alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor