Central targets

The term "Central targets" does not refer to a specific molecule, receptor, or enzyme, but is instead a descriptive category used in pharmacology and systems biology. In a pharmacological context, it most commonly refers to therapeutic targets located within the central nervous system (CNS), such as receptors and ion channels in the brain and spinal cord that are targeted for the treatment of pain, obesity, and psychiatric disorders [1, 4, 5, 7]. In the field of network pharmacology, "central targets" (also known as hub or core targets) are the most highly connected proteins within a biological network or disease pathway, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, or AKT1, which are prioritized for drug development due to their pivotal role in signaling [3, 10, 18]. Identifying these central targets is a key strategy in modern drug discovery to find nodes that exert maximal control over disease-related biological processes [2, 12]. However, targeting these central nodes often presents significant challenges, including the risk of severe side effects due to their involvement in multiple essential pathways [1, 18]. Furthermore, for targets located in the CNS, the ability of a drug to cross the blood-brain barrier remains a primary hurdle in therapeutic development [4, 9]. Consequently, while the concept of a "central target" is useful for prioritizing research, it does not define a unique pharmacological site of action.

Other names

CNS targetsHub targetsCore targetsNetwork hubsCentral nervous system targets

Not applicable as this is a categorical term rather than a specific molecular entity.