α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia

Accumulating evidence suggests that the α7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) plays a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Deficits in auditory P50 evoked potential suppression in patients with schizophrenia are associated with decreased density of α7 nAChRs in the brain. Some agonists (e.g., DMXB-A and tropisetron) at α7 nAChRs can improve P50 deficits in patients with schizophrenia. Together, these findings indicate that α7 nAChRs are a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia. Currently, a number of agonists and allosteric modulators at α7 nAChRs are under development as potential therapeutic drugs. In this article, we review recent topics on α7 nAChR agonists and α7 nAChR allosteric modulators as therapeutic drugs for schizophrenia.