Search

The article presents brief profile of scientist Florence Wagner. Topics discussed include Wagner and her colleagues look for compounds that target related proteins; inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 by the molecule developed by Wagner thereby treating bipolar disorder; and works of Wagner on inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase 3, therapeutic potential of histone deacetylase; and selective inhibitors of histone deacetylase 2.

The article describes the use of structure-based design to develop small-molecule substitutes for lithium which is used to treat bipolar disorder. Lithium’s toxicity and lack of selectivity cause side-effects. The small-molecule compounds selectively deactivate the enzyme glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-&3#x03B2; which is capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier. The therapeutic potential of targeting GSK-&3#x03B2; is to control mania in a mouse model with bipolar disorder.