Title:Pharmacology of L-type Calcium Channels: Novel Drugs for Old Targets?
Volume: 8
Author(s): Jorg Striessnig, Nadine J. Ortner and Alexandra Pinggera
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Calcium homeostasis, drug discovery L-type channels, neuropsychiatric disorders, pharmacology, voltage gated
calcium channels.
Abstract: Inhibition of voltage-gated L-type calcium channels by organic calcium channel blockers is a well-established
pharmacodynamic concept for the treatment of hypertension and cardiac ischemia. Since decades these antihypertensives
(such as the dihydropyridines amlodipine, felodipine or nifedipine) belong to the most widely prescribed drugs
world-wide. Their tolerability is excellent because at therapeutic doses their pharmacological effects in humans are limited
to the cardiovascular system. During the last years substantial progress has been made to reveal the physiological role of
different L-type calcium channel isoforms in many other tissues, including the brain, endocrine and sensory cells.
Moreover, there is accumulating evidence about their involvement in various human diseases, such as Parkinson's disease,
neuropsychiatric disorders and hyperaldosteronism. In this review we discuss the pathogenetic role of L-type calcium
channels, potential new indications for existing or isoform-selective compounds and strategies to minimize potential side
effects.
