Positive allosteric modulators of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor for the treatment of neurocognitive deficits

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are two highly prevalent central nervous system disorders that present with cognitive deficits and psychotic symptoms, representing an immense burden to the world’s population. Common and core to the symptomology and quality-of-life of patients are neurocognitive deficits. Activation of the M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors is a promising new strategy to alleviate the impaired cognitive symptoms associated with AD and SZ. This work provides an important understanding of the mechanism of action of recently identified preclinical drug candidates for the treatment of AD and SZ.