Pharmacological strategies in the modulation of central nervous system activity
Phan-Ba, R.; Scuvée-Moreau, J.; Seutin, V.
Revue Medicale de Liege 63(5-6): 238-244
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0370-629X PMID: 18669187 Document Number: 615671
There are multiple pharmacological targets in the central nervous system. After reviewing the synaptic physiology and the major neurotransmitter molecules, this article describes the main strategies used in neuropharmacology. The concept of specificity in the central nervous system is discussed, and allows a distinction between drugs according to the degree of specificity of their action. A catalogue of pharmacological targets is presented with therapeutic examples, and an emphasis on new agents having an original mechanism of action or acting on new targets.