Open innovation in neuroscience research and drug discovery.

The pressures on the pharmaceutical industry have incentivised a number of new collaborative models of research and development which can be categorised as open innovation. Examples of the different types of models employed are discussed and some, but not all, of these have been used to promote research and drug discovery for central nervous system disorders. Some are completely open access, while others have some intellectual property restrictions.

Have animal models of disease helped or hindered the drug discovery process?

Animal models have played an important role in target validation, screening of compounds for efficacy and optimization of pharmacokinetic properties and toxicological testing. However, new paradigms for drug discovery and development will require a greater emphasis on animal models of mechanism.

5-HT6 receptor antagonists as novel cognitive enhancing agents for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurological condition characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive performance accompanied by behavioral and psychological syndromes, such as depression and psychosis. The neurochemical correlates of these clinical manifestations now appear to involve dysfunctions of multiple neurotransmitter pathways. Because of the extensive serotonergic denervation that has been observed in the AD brain and the important role played by serotonin (5-HT) in both cognition and behavioral control, this neurotransmitter system has become a focus of concerted research efforts to identify new treatments for AD.