Brain as a unique antisense environment

During the last few years, antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotides (asODN) have become a commonly used tool for blocking of gene expression in the mammalian central nervous system. Successful gene inhibition has been reported for such diverse targets as those encoding neurotransmitter receptors, neuropeptides, trophic factors, transcription factors, cytokines, transporters, ion channels, and others. This review presents a discussion of recent studies on ODN in the brain, with a focus on specific approaches taken by the researchers in this field and especially on peculiar features of this organ as a milieu for asODN action. It is concluded that from the presented literature survey no coherent view on how to rationally design ODN for brain studies has emerged.