Basics on the use of acid-sensing ion channels' inhibitors as therapeutics

Jamileh Dibas, Houssam Al-Saad, Adnan Dibas

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Since the discovery of acid-sensing ion channels in 1997, their importance in the health of neurons and other non-neuronal cells has gained significant importance. Acid-sensing ion channels play important roles in mediating pain sensation during diseases such as stroke, inflammation, arthritis, cancer, and recently migraine. More interestingly, acid-sensing ion channels may explain the sex differences in pain between males and females. Also, the ability of acid-sensing ion channel blockers to exert neuroprotective effects in a number of neurodegenerative diseases has added a new dimension to their therapeutic value. The current failure rate of ∼45% of new drugs (due to toxicity issues) and saving of up to 7 years in the life span of drug approval makes drug repurposing a high priority. If acid-sensing ion channels' blockers undergo what is known as "drug repurposing", there is a great potential to bring them as medications with known safety profiles to new patient populations. However, the route of administration remains a big challenge due to their poor penetration of the blood brain and retinal barriers. In this review, the promise of using acid-sensing ion channel blockers as neuroprotective drugs is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)395-398
Number of pages4
JournalNeural Regeneration Research
Volume14
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2019

Keywords

  • acid
  • calpain
  • glaucoma
  • ion channel
  • neurodegeneration
  • neuroprotection
  • optic nerve
  • sensing

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