Neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction pathway

The **neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction pathway** is a signaling network described in the KEGG database that encompasses the collection of ligand–receptor interactions critical for neural signaling and brain function. It consists of over 300 genes representing a wide array of neuroreceptors (such as dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine, and others) and their endogenous or exogenous ligands, including neurotransmitters and neuropeptides[3][4][5][6][7]. This pathway plays a fundamental role in cell-to-cell communication in the nervous system, regulating neural activity via binding of neuroactive ligands to their cognate membrane receptors and triggering intracellular signaling cascades that affect processes including cognition, emotions, and behavior[1][3][5][7]. Dysregulation or perturbation of this pathway is implicated in conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), psychiatric disorders, cancer, and cognitive dysfunction[2][3][4]. The pathway itself is not a single therapeutic target but rather a broad grouping or map of many discrete, druggable targets—primarily individual receptor proteins and their associated signaling components. --- **Key clarifications**: - **is_target:** False. The neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction pathway is not itself a single gene, protein, or molecule, but a high-level grouping or pathway as defined by databases like KEGG[3][5][6][7]. - **is_incorrect:** True. Listing the entire pathway as a “target” is not specific; it should refer to individual receptors (e.g., serotonin receptor, GABA(_A) receptor) or ligands within the pathway, which are the actual drug targets. - **molecular classifications and drug information:** Not applicable at the pathway level; should be assigned to the actual molecular targets (e.g., individual receptors, transporters, or enzymes). - **Aliases:** Terms like “neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction” or “neuroactive ligand–receptor signaling pathway” reference the same high-level pathway. If you require structured information for a specific receptor or molecule within this pathway (e.g., dopamine D2 receptor, serotonin 5-HT2A receptor), please specify the target for an accurate and in-depth response.

Other names

Neuroactive ligand–receptor signaling pathwayNeuroactive ligand–receptor interactionNeuroactive ligand receptor interaction