Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
Recent Advances in CNS P2X7 Physiology and Pharmacology: Focus on Neuropsychiatric Disorders
1Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, Janssen Research and Development, LLC, San Diego, CA, United States.
Abstract:
The ATP-gated P2X7 ion channel is an abundant microglial protein in the CNS that plays an important pathological role in executing ATP-driven danger signal transduction. Emerging data has generated scientific interest and excitement around targeting the P2X7 ion channel as a potential drug target for CNS disorders. Over the past years, a wealth of data has been published on CNS P2X7 biology, in particular the role of P2X7 in microglial cells, and in vivo effects of brain-penetrant P2X7 antagonists. Likewise, significant progress has been made around the medicinal chemistry of CNS P2X7 ligands, as antagonists for in vivo target validation in models of CNS diseases, to identification of two clinical compounds (JNJ-54175446 and JNJ-55308942) and finally, discovery of P2X7 PET ligands. This review is an attempt to bring together the current understanding of P2X7 in the CNS with a focus on P2X7 as a drug target in neuropsychiatric disorders.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents
CNS Stimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines and Cannabinoids
Overview of Advanced Functional Groups
Functional groups are groups of atoms with specific chemical properties that occur within organic molecules and are sometimes denoted as “R”. Functional groups can “functionalize” a compound by enabling it to adopt different physical and chemical properties.
Types of Advanced Functional Groups
The table below summarizes some of the major functional groups in organic chemistry.

