Tag: Sigma receptors

First misidentified as a type of opioid receptor in the 1970s, modern pharmacology now recognizes that sigma ($σ$) receptors are a unique class of proteins involved in a wide array of cellular functions. The compelling question, "What is sigma primarily used for?", leads to a diverse list of potential therapeutic applications, including the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative conditions, and chronic pain.

Initially mistaken for a type of opioid receptor, the term 'Sigma drug' actually refers to a class of compounds that interact with two distinct protein structures known as sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors. These receptors are now recognized as novel targets in pharmacology for their roles in diverse physiological and pathological processes.