Samuel D. Banister and Michael Kassiou Pages 884 - 901 ( 18 )
Since their proposal in 1976, sigma (σ) receptors have been increasingly implicated in the pathophysiology of virtually all major central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and drug addiction. Due to their involvement in motor function and higher cognitive function,σ receptors have also been implicated in movement disorders (such as Parkinson's disease) and memory deficits (including Alzheimer's disease). In most cases the precise mechanism(s) linking σ receptors to CNS disease are unknown or yet to be fully elucidated. However, many σ ligands have shown promise in pharmacological studies and animal models of the aforementioned diseases, and some have entered clinical trials. This review will assess the validity of σ receptors as a target for various CNS diseases based on evidence from animal models of human diseases, preclinical studies in humans, and full clinical trials.
Sigma receptor,central nervous system,schizophrenia,anxiety,depression,Alzheimer's disease,addiction,pain,clinical trials,tumor cells
, Brain and Mind Research Institute, 100 Mallett St, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.