DISCOVER Bioactive Small Molecules for Neuroscience

The nervous system, comprised of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system, or CNS) and network of nerves that connects the CNS to the rest of the body (peripheral nervous system, or PNS) is one of the most important, and complex, systems in the body. The complexity of the nervous system is illustrated by the diverse array of receptors, neurotransmitters, transporters, and ion channels that are involved in signal transmission. Research to better understand components involved in neurotransmission, such as those shown below, has progressed for many years and continues to remain an active area of focus.

• Glutamate - G Protein, Ion Channel receptors
  
  
• GABA - GABA_A, GABA_B, GABA_C receptors, Transporters
  
  
• Serotonin - Receptors, Synthesis & metabolism
  
  
• Dopamine - Receptors, Synthesis, Metabolism
  
  

Given the brain’s role in controlling and coordinating every aspect of the human body, including voluntary and involuntary movement, learning and memory, and behavior, it comes as no surprise that malfunction of the nervous system can give rise to numerous disease states. Psychiatric disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) and other neurological disorders (e.g. amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), stroke) have increasing incidence worldwide. As such, translation of basic understanding of neuroscience into therapeutic treatments for human diseases has become essential and represents and active focus of neuroscience research. We understand that in translational research, it is essential to ensure your target is the right target. We offer agonists, antagonists, modulators and other bioactive small molecules for target identification and validation in neuroscience research; a selection of these research tools is shown below.