Central nervous system stimulant targets

"Central nervous system stimulant targets" is not a single molecular target, but a collective term encompassing various well-defined molecular entities involved in the action of stimulant drugs on the CNS. These include neurotransmitter transporters (notably dopamine transporter [DAT/SLC6A3] and norepinephrine transporter [NET/SLC6A2]), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), monoamine oxidase enzymes (MAO-A, MAO-B), and, for some drugs, adenosine receptors (such as for caffeine). Stimulant drugs occupying this class include amphetamines, methylphenidate, and modafinil, which exert their wakefulness- and attention-promoting effects by increasing dopaminergic and noradrenergic signaling, via transporter inhibition and/or reversal, and sometimes additional mechanisms. Because this label does not correspond to a single protein, gene, or receptor, it does not meet the conventions of a canonical therapeutic target as required by your schema.

Other names

CNS stimulant targetscentral nervous system stimulant molecular targetspsychostimulant targets

Inhibition of presynaptic neurotransmitter transporters (e.g. dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition) - Promotion of neurotransmitter release (mainly dopamine, norepinephrine, sometimes serotonin) - Mild direct agonism at certain neurotransmitter receptors - VMAT2 (vesicular monoamine transporter 2) interaction (some agents) - Weak MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibition (some agents)