Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Opportunities

Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors: Pharmacology and TherapeuticOpportunities

Edited by Stephen P. Arneric and Jorge D. Brioni

Nicotine's efficacy in the treatment of pain and anxiolysis, andits usefulness as a memory enhancer, have been suspected for manyyears, but research into the molecular biology of nicotinicacetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) traditionally has focused onsmoking cessation. Now, thanks to recent technological advances inthe molecular biology and electrophysiology of nAChRs, an abundanceof evidence has emerged in support of nAChR ligands in thetreatment of a range of CNS disorders, including Alzheimer'sdisease, Parkinson's disease, neuropathic pain, attention deficitdisorder, and depression.

Featuring contributions from an international team of experts inthe field, this volume provides researchers and clinicians with acomprehensive review of nAChRs, their molecular biology,pharmacology, and clinical implications. Moving from the molecularto the clinical levels, the authors explore the latest developmentsin all areas of nAChR research, including:
* Molecular biology and biochemistry of nAChRs
* The physiological roles of nAChRs
* Pharmacokinetics of nicotine-like alkaloids
* Recent breakthroughs and emerging trends in nAChR medicinalchemistry
* Current and emerging therapeutic applications of novel nAChRligands.

A timely, authoritative review of basic research into nAChRs andtheir role in the development of new therapeutic strategies in thetreatment of a range of various CNS diseases, Neuronal NicotinicReceptors: Pharmacology and Therapeutic Opportunities is requiredreading for neuroscientists, pharmacologists, medicinal chemists,biological psychiatrists, and psychopharmacologists.