Abstract

The present invention is related to the use of compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that modulate astrocytic release of substances through connexin and pannexin hemichannels, for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof used in the present invention comprise any compound that differentially modulates, blocks, opens, inhibits, and/or activates connexin and/or pannexin hemichannels from astrocytes while not affecting gap junctions. The invention is also related to a method for treating psychiatric disorders, comprising administering to a mammal or human a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, that modulates astrocytic release of substances through connexin and pannexin hemichannels. Pharmaceutical compositions and a screening method are also considered in the present invention. Examples are shown for connexin 43, connexin 30 and pannexin 1 hemichannel modulators shown not to affect gap junctions, in the form of both non peptide compounds and peptides which were tested in different models for psychiatric disorders, comprising PTSD, memory, anxiety and depression.