The ATP-sensitive homomeric P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has received particular attention
as a potential drug target because of its widespread involvement in inflammatory diseases
as a key regulatory element of the inflammasome complex. However, it has only recently
become evident that P2X7Rs also play a pivotal role in central nervous system (CNS)
pathology. There is an explosion of data indicating that genetic deletion and pharmacological
blockade of P2X7Rs alter responsiveness in animal models of neurological disorders,
such as stroke, neurotrauma, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis (MS),
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and
Huntington's disease. Moreover, recent studies suggest that P2X7Rs regulate the pathophysiology
of psychiatric disorders, including mood disorders, implicating P2X7Rs as drug targets
in a variety of CNS pathology.
