PNU-282,987 is a drug that acts as a potent and selective agonist for the α7 subtype of neural

nicotinic acetylcholine receptor Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or nAChRs, are receptor polypeptides that respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Nicotinic receptors also respond to drugs such as the agonist nicotine. They are found in the central and peripheral ner ...

s. In animal studies, it shows

nootropic Nootropics ( , or ) (colloquial: smart drugs and cognitive enhancers, similar to adaptogens) are a wide range of natural or synthetic dietary supplement, supplements or drugs and other substances that are claimed to improve cognitive function ...

effects, and derivatives may be useful in the treatment of

schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social wit ...

, although PNU-282,987 is not suitable for use in humans because of excessive inhibition of the hERG

antitarget In pharmacology, an antitarget (or off-target) is a receptor, enzyme, or other biological target that, when affected by a drug, causes undesirable side-effects. During drug design and development, it is important for pharmaceutical companies to en ...

. PNU-282987 has been shown to initiate signaling that leads to adult neurogeneis in mammals.

References

Nicotinic agonists Stimulants Nootropics Quinuclidines Benzamides Chloroarenes {{nervous-system-drug-stub