The challenge of traditional neuropharmacology
Today’s neuroactive medicines often lack precision, as they primarily target receptors distributed ubiquitously throughout the nervous system. By contrast, the diseases these drugs treat typically originate in specific cell types or restricted brain regions. The broad activity of existing medicines leads to reduced efficacy, harmful side effects, suboptimal dosing, medication noncompliance, and drug discontinuation.
By leveraging a unique class of proteins, we can precisely target cell types and neurocircuits where our medicines are needed: on the source of the neurophysiological abnormality. With this approach, we substantially enhance efficacy and limit side effects.