Professor Andreas Maehle a.h.maehle@durham.ac.uk
Professor
Historische Grundlagen des Rezeptor-Konzepts in der Pharmakologie *
Maehle, AH
Authors
Abstract
In present-day pharmacology, the existence of specific cell receptors, which can combine chemically with drugs, poisons, neurotransmitters and hormones, is often taken for granted. However, until the 1960s receptors were controversial hypothetical entities. This article examines the initial experimental evidence for receptors that was produced and discussed between the 1870s and the 1930s. It is argued that pharmacologists were reluctant to adopt the receptor concept because of the indirect nature of the available experimental evidence, the competition with a physical theory of drug action and the fact that the idea of receptors had not originated from pharmacology itself, but from immunology and neurophysiology.
Citation
Maehle, A. (2004). Historische Grundlagen des Rezeptor-Konzepts in der Pharmakologie *. Gesnerus, 61(1-2), 57-76
Journal Article Type | Article |
---|---|
Publication Date | 2004 |
Deposit Date | Apr 10, 2007 |
Journal | Gesnerus. |
Print ISSN | 0016-9161 |
Publisher | Schwabe AG |
Peer Reviewed | Not Peer Reviewed |
Volume | 61 |
Issue | 1-2 |
Pages | 57-76 |
Keywords | History of pharmacology, Receptors, History of physiology. |
Publisher URL | http://www.schwabe.ch/docs/magazine/9161-0.html#theme |
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