Facinicline (development code RG3487) is a α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist and antagonist to serotonin-3 receptors (5-HT3). It demonstrated initial efficacy for treating cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease in a phase 2a trial, but development was discontinued following the conclusion of a later phase 2 trial.
A later study evaluating the effects of facinicline on cognitive deficits in schizophrenia failed to demonstrate an effect on its primary endpoints, although post-hoc analysis showed improvements in patients with high negative PANSS scores.
Pharmacology Facinicline is an a7 nicotinic partial agonist and 5-HT3 antagonist. Facinicline shares much of its structure with tropesitron, another α7 and 5HT3 agonist/antagonist.
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