Molecular Neuropharmacology

Abstract

Neuropharmacology as a branch of pharmacology evolved slowly during the past 50 years with the introduction of drugs for neurologic disorders. Discoveries in basic neurosciences, particularly receptors and neurotransmitters, place neuropharmacology on a scientific basis and several new drugs were discovered based on this knowledge. During the last decade of twentieth century, which was called the “Decade of the Brain”, molecular biology started to have an impact on neuropharmacology to start the era of molecular neuropharmacology. The primary amino acid sequence of many receptors was determined from the nucleic acid sequence of their cDNAs. Molecular targets of drugs acting on the CNS were defined, and increasing molecular understanding of the receptors has enabled improved drug design. Whereas organic chemistry provided the background for synthesis of new drugs in the past, current advances in genomic and proteomic technologies are now revolutionizing the drug discovery and development process. Parallel with genome mapping, there was progress in knowledge about pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics. The advances included cloning of receptors. Clinical trials of gene therapy of neurologic disorders started during this decade.