Emapunil (AC-5216, XBD-173) is an anxiolytic drug which acts as a selective agonist at the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, also known as the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein or TSPO.[1][2] This protein has multiple functions, among which is regulation of steroidogenesis,[3][4] particularly the production of neuroactive steroids such as allopregnanolone in the brain.[5][6][7] In both animal and human trials, emapunil produced fast acting anxiolytic and anti-panic effects, without producing sedation or withdrawal symptoms following cessation of use.[8][9] Emapunil is also used in its 11C radiolabelled form to map the distribution of TSPO receptors in the brain.[10][11]
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^Falchi AM, Battetta B, Sanna F, Piludu M, Sogos V, Serra M, Melis M, Putzolu M, Diaz G (August 2007). "Intracellular cholesterol changes induced by translocator protein (18 kDa) TSPO/PBR ligands". Neuropharmacology. 53 (2): 318–29. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2007.05.016. PMID17631921. S2CID39793765.
^Kita A, Furukawa K (April 2008). "Involvement of neurosteroids in the anxiolytic-like effects of AC-5216 in mice". Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 89 (2): 171–8. doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2007.12.006. PMID18201755. S2CID24094283.
^Da Settimo F, Simorini F, Taliani S, La Motta C, Marini AM, Salerno S, Bellandi M, Novellino E, Greco G, Cosimelli B, Da Pozzo E, Costa B, Simola N, Morelli M, Martini C (September 2008). "Anxiolytic-like effects of N,N-dialkyl-2-phenylindol-3-ylglyoxylamides by modulation of translocator protein promoting neurosteroid biosynthesis". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 51 (18): 5798–806. doi:10.1021/jm8003224. PMID18729350.
^Taliani S, Da Settimo F, Da Pozzo E, Chelli B, Martini C (September 2009). "Translocator Protein Ligands as Promising Therapeutic Tools for Anxiety Disorders". Current Medicinal Chemistry. 16 (26): 3359–80. doi:10.2174/092986709789057653. PMID19548867.
^Rupprecht R, Rammes G, Eser D, Baghai TC, Schüle C, Nothdurfter C, Troxler T, Gentsch C, Kalkman HO, Chaperon F, Uzunov V, McAllister KH, Bertaina-Anglade V, La Rochelle CD, Tuerck D, Floesser A, Kiese B, Schumacher M, Landgraf R, Holsboer F, Kucher K (June 2009). "Translocator Protein (18 kD) as Target for Anxiolytics Without Benzodiazepine-Like Side Effects". Science. 325 (5939): 490–3. Bibcode:2009Sci...325..490R. doi:10.1126/science.1175055. PMID19541954. S2CID26125316.
^Kita A, Kinoshita T, Kohayakawa H, Furukawa K (June 2009). "Lack of tolerance to anxiolysis and withdrawal symptoms in mice repeatedly treated with AC-5216, a selective TSPO ligand". Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 33 (6): 1040–5. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.05.018. PMID19497344. S2CID8195889.