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Quantitative Systems Pharmacology for Neuroscience Drug Discovery and Development: Current Status, Opportunities, and
Hugo Geerts1, John Wikswo2, Piet H van der Graaf3
1In Silico Biosciences, Berwyn, Pennsylvania, USA.
CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology
|November 2, 2019
Summary
Quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) can accelerate central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery by integrating molecular pathways with neuronal circuits. This approach addresses challenges in CNS therapeutics development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Translating basic brain science to clinical therapeutics for CNS diseases remains challenging.
- Limited biomarkers, subjective endpoints, and complex drug-target interactions hinder CNS drug development.
- Computational systems pharmacology (QSP) is underutilized in CNS research compared to other fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) for CNS drug discovery and development.
- To identify challenges and opportunities for applying QSP in CNS disorders.
- To explore QSP's role in bridging molecular pathways and neuronal circuits for therapeutic target identification.
Main Methods:
- A cross-disciplinary workshop convened by NINDS, NIA, NIMH, NIDA, and NCATS.
- Discussions focused on QSP applications, computational neuroscience, and clinical trial optimization for CNS diseases.
- Review of existing QSP applications and identification of new opportunities and limitations in the CNS therapeutic area.
Main Results:
- QSP offers a systems and network approach to connect molecular mechanisms with brain activity and behavior.
- Computational neuroscience can enhance QSP for interrogating CNS disease mechanisms and drug effects.
- QSP can potentially improve the evaluation of drug effects and clinical trial design in CNS disorders.
Conclusions:
- A systems and network approach, particularly QSP, is crucial for advancing CNS drug discovery.
- Further development and adoption of QSP are needed to overcome current limitations in CNS therapeutics.
- QSP holds significant promise for accelerating the development of effective treatments for CNS diseases.
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