Science & Technology
 
NNRs: Therapeutic Effects

NNRs are comprised of five protein subunits that are arranged like staves of a barrel around a central pore. Each different combination of five subunits represents an NNR subtype. There are several subtypes, each of which is identified by Greek letters.

Scientific evidence has established that individual NNR subtypes have particular functions in the body that are relevant to a number of debilitating diseases and disorders. For example, these targets have been shown to play a role in attention, memory, anxiety, analgesia and weight control. The chart below illustrates the diseases or disorders that may be implicated by various NNR subtypes. Our work is focused on these subtypes.

NNR Subtype

Primary Functions Impacted

Diseases or Disorders
Potentially Implicated

a42ß23+Cognition

Alzheimer’s disease; cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia; AAMI; MCI; ADHD

Pain perceptionAcute, chronic and neuropathic pain
a42ß23-Mood

Depression, anxiety


a
75
Sensory gating
Cognition

Schizophrenia; cognitive impairment

InflammationInflammatory and autoimmune diseases
a6ß3a4Motor controlParkinson's disease
Reward pathwaysSmoking cessation, addiction, obesity
 

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