Title:A Review on Emerging Drug Targets in Treatment of Schizophrenia
Volume: 21
Issue: 15
Author(s): Hemen S. Ved and Gaurav M. Doshi*
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology, SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, V. M. Road, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai,India
Keywords:
Schizophrenia, novel treatment, metabotropic glutamate (mGlu), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), endocannabinoid
(eCB), nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), muscarinic, kappa-opioid receptor (KOR).
Abstract: Schizophrenia is a multifactorial, highly complex behavioral and cognitive disorder caused
by disruptions of neurotransmitters in the brain, consequently affecting its functioning. The disorder is
known to affect approximately 1% of the adult population worldwide. Antipsychotics used in the
treatment have considerable drawbacks as they primarily aim to alleviate the positive symptoms of
different aspects of the disorder and fail to treat the negative and cognitive symptoms. Considering the
poor functional outcome of conventional antipsychotic therapy, the recent development of effective
targets is of clinical importance. In this review, we summarize perspective on recent approaches and
advances on schizophrenia. New therapeutically potential compounds for the treatment of schizophrenia
act on metabotropic glutamate receptor, Matrix metalloproteinase, endocannabinoid receptor, nicotinic
acetylcholine receptor, muscarinic acetylcholine cholinergic receptor and Dynorphin /Kappa
Opioid receptor systems. This review explores the functions of different receptors other than dopaminergic
systems to treat and manage schizophrenia effectively. The article would provide readers
guidance on newer targets related to schizophrenia.