NS-2664
Encyclopedia
NS-2664 is an anxiolytic
drug with a novel chemical structure, developed by the small pharmaceutical company Neurosearch
. It has similar effects to benzodiazepine
drugs, but is structurally distinct and so is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine
anxiolytic. NS-2664 is a potent but non-selective partial agonist
at GABAA receptor
s, although with little efficacy at the α1 subtype and more at α2 and α3. It has potent anticonvulsant
effects in animal studies, but a relatively short duration of action, and produces little sedative
effects or physical dependence.
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
drug with a novel chemical structure, developed by the small pharmaceutical company Neurosearch
NeuroSearch
NeuroSearch is a Scandinavian biopharmaceutical company with its headquarters in Ballerup, Denmark and facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden. The primary activities of the company are focused on the discovery and development of new, unique pharmaceuticals that offer better treatment for patients with...
. It has similar effects to benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepine
A benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring...
drugs, but is structurally distinct and so is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine
Nonbenzodiazepine
The nonbenzodiazepines, also called benzodiazepine-like drugs, are a class of psychoactive drugs pharmacologically resembling the benzodiazepines, with similar benefits, side effects and risks, despite having dissimilar or entirely different chemical structures.-Classes:There are currently three...
anxiolytic. NS-2664 is a potent but non-selective partial agonist
Partial agonist
Partial agonists bind and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist...
at GABAA receptor
GABA A receptor
The GABAA receptor is an ionotropic receptor and ligand-gated ion channel. Its endogenous ligand is γ-aminobutyric acid , the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Upon activation, the GABAA receptor selectively conducts Cl- through its pore, resulting in...
s, although with little efficacy at the α1 subtype and more at α2 and α3. It has potent anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsant
The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...
effects in animal studies, but a relatively short duration of action, and produces little sedative
Sedative
A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....
effects or physical dependence.