[Role of sigma-1 receptors in neural plasticity and in antipsychotic action]

Accumulating evidence suggests that the endoplasmic reticulum protein sigma-1 receptors function as "receptor chaperons", and that sigma-1 receptors might be involved in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and cognitive deficits. Recent findings suggest that sigma-1 receptors play an important role in the neuronal plasticity in the brain. Recently, we reported that sigma-1 receptor agonists could enhance nerve growth factor-induced neurite outgrowth in cell culture, and that sigma-1 receptor agonists could attenuate phencyclidine-induced cognitive deficits in mice. In this article, the author reviews the role of sigma-1 receptors in the neuronal plasticity and clinical implications of sigma-1 receptors in the treatment for neuropsychiatric diseases.