TAARs and Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) are a family of G protein-coupled receptors expressed in the central nervous system and periphery. In humans, there are six functional members of the family with the TAAR1 being the best studied. In 2019, an agonist of TAAR1 successfully passed phase II of clinical trials and currently is being tested at phase III as a drug for the treatment of schizophrenia. Besides schizophrenia, drugs based on TAAR1 agonism are investigated for the treatment of depression, addiction, and neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. In the brain, TAAR1 is involved in the regulation of the dopamine system acting as a neuromodulator. In the periphery, TAAR1 is implicated in the hormone secretion and immune system. Other five TAARs are known to be expressed in the olfactory system, but currently their role outside of the olfaction is being uncovered in the CNS and periphery. In this chapter, the role of TAARs in psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed.