Bexicaserin (; developmental code names LP352 and AN352) is a selective

serotonin Serotonin (), also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), is a monoamine neurotransmitter with a wide range of functions in both the central nervous system (CNS) and also peripheral tissues. It is involved in mood, cognition, reward, learning, ...

5-HT_2C receptor

agonist An agonist is a chemical that activates a Receptor (biochemistry), receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are Cell (biology), cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an R ...

which is under development for the treatment of

seizure A seizure is a sudden, brief disruption of brain activity caused by abnormal, excessive, or synchronous neuronal firing. Depending on the regions of the brain involved, seizures can lead to changes in movement, sensation, behavior, awareness, o ...

s in

developmental disabilities Developmental disability is a diverse group of chronic conditions, comprising mental or physical impairments that arise before adulthood. Developmental disabilities cause individuals living with them many difficulties in certain areas of life, espe ...

such as

Dravet syndrome Dravet syndrome (DS), previously known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (SMEI), is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder which causes a catastrophic form of epilepsy, with prolonged seizures that are often triggered by hot temperatures o ...

and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It is taken

by mouth Oral administration is a route of administration whereby a substance is taken through the Human mouth, mouth, swallowed, and then processed via the digestive system. This is a common route of administration for many medications. Oral administ ...

. The drug is highly selective for the serotonin 5-HT_2C receptor, with negligible

affinity Affinity may refer to: Commerce, finance and law * Affinity (law), kinship by marriage * Affinity analysis, a market research and business management technique * Affinity Credit Union, a Saskatchewan-based credit union * Affinity Equity Pa ...

for the serotonin 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2B receptors. Because it does not activate the serotonin 5-HT_2B receptor, bexicaserin is not expected to pose a risk of

cardiac valvulopathy Cardiac fibrosis commonly refers to the excess deposition of extracellular matrix in the cardiac muscle, but the term may also refer to an abnormal thickening of the heart valves due to inappropriate proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts. Fibrotic c ...

, unlike the existing agent

fenfluramine Fenfluramine, sold under the brand name Fintepla, is a serotonergic medication used for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and Lennox–Gastaut syndrome. It was formerly used as an appetite suppressant in the treat ...

. As of October 2024, bexicaserin is in phase 3

clinical trial Clinical trials are prospective biomedical or behavioral research studies on human subject research, human participants designed to answer specific questions about biomedical or behavioral interventions, including new treatments (such as novel v ...

s for treatment of developmental disabilities. It is being developed by Longboard Pharmaceuticals. The activation of 5HT2c receptors has been shown to reduce epileptic seizure activity by inhibiting CaV3 calcium channels which mediate the T-type calcium current. CaV3 calcium channels facilitate high frequency burst firing in princible neurons of the subiculum. This firing pattern is upregulated following status epilepticus, with these hyperactive neurons often serving as the initiation point for seizures.Cohen I, Navarro V, Clemenceau S, Baulac M, Miles R. On the origin of interictal activity in human temporal lobe epilepsy in vitro. Science. 2002 Nov 15;298(5597):1418-21. doi: 10.1126/science.1076510. PMID 12434059.

References

{{Serotonin receptor modulators 5-HT2C agonists Carboxamides Diazepanes Experimental drugs Indoles Organofluorides

See also

References