Treating neuropathic pain and nicotine dependence: Epibatidine derivatives as potential therapeutics

Abstract

Treating neuropathic pain and nicotine dependence: Epibatidine derivatives as potential therapeutics Lance R. McMahon, Ph.D. and Jenny L. Wilkerson, Ph.D. from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, describe the search for the magic bullet to treat both neuropathic pain and nicotine dependence using novel epibatidine derivatives as potential therapeutics. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), specifically nAChR containing α4β2* subunits (* denotes additional receptor subunits), are known for their role in nicotine dependence and addiction (1). These receptors are found throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems on neuronal, glial, and immune cells (2). Although varenicline, an α4β2 nAChR* partial agonist, is a useful smoking cessation pharmacotherapy, the largest individual cause of preventable death continues to be cigarette smoking. (1)