Orally available, state-dependent, potent and selective T-type calcium channel blocker (Cav3.1, Cav3.2, Cav3.3) with in vivo absence seizure-reducing efficacy.
Z944 is an orally available, state-dependent, potent and selective T-type calcium channel blocker (hCav3.1/Cav3.2/Cav3.3 IC50 by voltage clamp = 50/160/110 nM under ~30% inactivated state & 130/540/260 nM in the closed state) over non-T-type voltage-gated channels (rCaV2.2 IC50 = 11 μM/30% inactivated & 150 μM/closed; hERG/rCaV1.2/hNaV1.5 IC50 = 7.8/32/100 μM). Z944 effectively suppresses seizure activity in the GAERS (absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg) model in vivo (10-30 mg/kg qod ip.) with no adverse cardiovascular effects or neurotoxicity.
Absence seizures are a common seizure type in children with genetic generalized epilepsy and are characterized by a temporary loss of awareness, arrest of physical activity, and accompanying spike-and-wave discharges on an electroencephalogram. They arise from abnormal, hypersynchronous neuronal firing
Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is often comorbid with behavioral and cognitive symptoms, including impaired visual memory. Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) is an animal model closely resembling CAE; however, cognition in GAERS is poorly understood. Crossmodal object recognition
Currently available antipsychotics are unsatisfactory given their side effects and limited efficacy for the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Many currently available drugs, such as haloperidol, are T-type calcium channel antagonists in addition to their well-established antagonism of dopamine D2 receptors.
Neuropeptide substance P (SP) is produced and released by a subset of peripheral sensory neurons that respond to tissue damage (nociceptors). SP exerts excitatory effects in the central nervous system, but peripheral SP actions are still poorly understood; therefore, here
Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is associated with interictal co-morbid symptoms including abnormalities in social behaviour. Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats from Strasbourg (GAERS) is a model of CAE that exhibits physiological and behavioural alterations characteristic of the human disorder. However, it
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