ziconotide and Nervous-System-Diseases

The oceans provide a rich source of structurally unique compounds that have demonstrated significant biological activities in a range of indications. In particular, the development of marine compounds is emerging as an important field for neurology. Several marine-derived compounds are currently in clinical trials or have been launched for the treatment of neuropathic pain, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. This review describes the development of several of these compounds, specifically covering the conopeptides, anabaseine and omega-3 fatty acids for the potential treatment of various neurological disorders.

Topics: Animals; Biological Factors; Conus Snail; Humans; Molecular Sequence Data; Molecular Structure; Nervous System Diseases; Neurology; omega-Conotoxins; Seawater

Conus peptides comprise a diverse class of bioactive molecules, each of which is believed to have a biological target. From the 50,000 plus molecules thought to exist, several groups are judged to have potential neuroprotective activity. Those that block voltage-gated calcium channels were seen as most promising, but this is now in some doubt. Those that act at NMDA receptors may be able to protect against acute and chronic assault, while those acting at nicotinic receptors or at potassium channels seem mainly to have potential against chronic assault. The poor pharmacokinetic profile of the peptides remains a challenge.

Topics: Animals; Calcium Channel Blockers; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; Conotoxins; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Humans; Nervous System Diseases; Neuroprotective Agents; omega-Conotoxins; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; Snails

Topics: Aged; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Female; Humans; Injections, Spinal; Nervous System Diseases; Neuropsychological Tests; omega-Conotoxins