Recent developments in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulators

The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), a member of the ligand-gated ion channel (LGIC) superfamily, is widely distributed throughout the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems. Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular diversity of this receptor family have created opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of a diverse set of disorders, including Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease (PD), addiction and pain. This article reviews the published patent literature, with particular emphasis on those developments that are likely to have the greatest impact on the development of novel therapeutics for CNS disorders.