Novel N-methyl-D-aspartate Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of mij821 in patients with treatment-resistant depression: Results from a randomized, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study

IntroductionMIJ821 is a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, with a potentially low rate of the psychotomimetic side effects that limit the therapeutic utility of ketamine in treatment-refractory depression (TRD).ObjectivesTo assess efficacy and safety of MIJ821.MethodsAdults with TRD (>2 prior treatment failures; Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS], >24) were eligible and were randomized (n=70) to low versus high doses of MIJ821, with two dosing regimens of weekly or biweekly, versus ketamine versus placebo. The primary outcome was change in MADRS total score at 24 hours and final follow up was at 6 weeks.ResultsAt 24 hours, adjusted mean differences (ΔAM) versus placebo were –8.25 (p=0.001), –5.71 (p=0.019) and –5.67 (p=0.046) and at 48 h were –7.06 (p=0.013), –7.37 (p=0.013), –11.02 (p=0.019) in the pooled MIJ821 low dose, high dose, and ketamine groups, respectively. At 6 weeks, ΔAM (80% CI) versus placebo on MADRS were –6.46 (–11.8, –1.15); p=0.059 for low dose MIJ821, –5.42 (–10.8, –0.02); p=0.099) for high dose MIJ821, and –5.24 (–10.4, –0.06); p=0.097 for ketamine. Further details on dosing, efficacy, and safety outcomes will be provided.ConclusionsIn this proof-of-concept study, MIJ821 was effective and tolerable in TRD. This study was funded by Novartis. Clinical trial.gov: NCT03756129Conflict of interestEmployee of Novartis.

Pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and tissue distribution study of JCC-02, a novel N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitor, in rats by LC-MS/MS

JCC-02, N-(3,5-dimethyladamantan-1-yl)-N′-(3-chlorophenyl) urea, has been developed as a novel N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed to determine the concentration of JCC-02 in rat plasma and different tissues to investigate its pharmacokinetic behavior in vivo and distribution character in organs. The matrix samples were prepared by protein precipitation method with acetonitrile using gliclazide as the internal standard (IS). This validated method was successfully applied to JCC-02 pharmacokinetic study in rats after oral administration of low (0.7 mg·kg−1), medium (2 mg·kg−1) and high (6 mg·kg−1) concentration, intravenous administration (2 mg·kg−1) as well as tissue distribution in rats after administration of JCC-02 (2 mg·kg−1) orally. The results indicated that the area under the time curve (AUC0-∞) and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) were directly proportional to dosage and the pharmacokinetic behavior of JCC-02 in rats was a linear process with respect to dosage. JCC-02 could be absorbed into blood circulation rapidly because of its short time to reach peak plasma concentration (tmax). Meanwhile, JCC-02 has a low clearance and a high volume of distribution, which might result in its long half-time. Oral absolute bioavailability (F) of JCC-02 was (14.61 ± 5.81)%, which was turned out to be low relatively. In tissues, the differences of JCC-02 concentration were quite large. After administration, small intestine (22.29 ± 15.86 μg·mL−1), stomach (7.21 ± 2.87 μg·mL−1), large intestine (1.27 ± 0.57 μg·mL−1), liver (0.96 ± 0.52 μg·mL−1) and fat (0.48 ± 0.24 μg·mL−1) were the first five organs with the largest drug concentration. Small intestine could be the main part of drug absorption where most of the drug was distributed after oral administration. More importantly, JCC-02 could cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which may probably have a pretty good therapeutic effect on AD.

NYX-2925 Is a Novel N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Modulator that Induces Rapid and Long-Lasting Analgesia in Rat Models of Neuropathic Pain.

NYX-2925 [(2S,3R)-3-hydroxy-2-((R)-5-isobutyryl-1-oxo-2,5-diazaspiro[3.4]octan-2-yl)butanamide] is a novel N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor modulator that is currently being investigated in phase 2 clinical studies for the treatment of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. Previous studies demonstrated that NYX-2925 is a member of a novel class of NMDA receptor-specific modulators that affect synaptic plasticity processes associated with learning and memory. Studies here examined NYX-2925 administration in rat peripheral chronic constriction nerve injury (CCI) and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mechanical hypersensitivity. Additionally, NYX-2925 was examined in formalin-induced persistent pain model and the tail flick test of acute nociception. Oral administration of NYX-2925 resulted in rapid and long-lasting analgesia in both of the neuropathic pain models and formalin-induced persistent pain, but was ineffective in the tail flick model. The analgesic effects of NYX-2925 were blocked by the systemic administration of NMDA receptor antagonist 3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonic acid. Microinjection of NYX-2925 into the medial prefrontal cortex of CCI rats resulted in analgesic effects similar to those observed following systemic administration, whereas intrathecal administration of NYX-2925 was ineffective. In CCI animals, NYX-2925 administration reversed deficits seen in a rat model of rough-and-tumble play. Thus, it appears that NYX-2925 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of neuropathic pain, and the data presented here support the idea that NYX-2925 may act centrally to ameliorate pain and modulate negative affective states associated with chronic neuropathic pain.

Crystal Structure and Pharmacological Characterization of a Novel N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Antagonist at the GluN1 Glycine Binding Site

NMDA receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate excitatory neurotransmission in the brain. They are tetrameric complexes composed of glycine-binding GluN1 and GluN3 subunits together with glutamate-binding GluN2 subunits. Subunit-selective antagonists that discriminate between the glycine sites of GluN1 and GluN3 subunits would be valuable pharmacological tools for studies on the function and physiological roles of NMDA receptor subtypes. In a virtual screening for antagonists that exploit differences in the orthosteric binding site of GluN1 and GluN3 subunits, we identified a novel glycine site antagonist, 1-thioxo-1,2-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-one (TK40). Here, we show by Schild analysis that TK40 is a potent competitive antagonist with Kb values of 21-63 nM at the GluN1 glycine-binding site of the four recombinant GluN1/N2A-D receptors. In addition, TK40 displayed >100-fold selectivity for GluN1/N2 NMDA receptors over GluN3A- and GluN3B-containing NMDA receptors and no appreciable effects at AMPA receptors. Binding experiments on rat brain membranes and the purified GluN1 ligand-binding domain using glycine site GluN1 radioligands further confirmed the competitive interaction and high potency. To delineate the binding mechanism, we have solved the crystal structure of the GluN1 ligand-binding domain in complex with TK40 and show that TK40 binds to the orthosteric binding site of the GluN1 subunit with a binding mode that was also predicted by virtual screening. Furthermore, the structure reveals that the imino acetamido group of TK40 acts as an α-amino acid bioisostere, which could be of importance in bioisosteric replacement strategies for future ligand design.

Development of Transdermal Therapeutic Formulation of CNS5161, a Novel N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Antagonist, by Utilizing Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives I

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of percutaneous absorption of CNS5161, a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist developed as a potential treatment for neuropathic pain and other neurological disorders. Six pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) with different physicochemical properties, namely, styrene-isoprene-styrene (1) (SIS(1)), styrene-isoprene-styrene (2) (SIS(2)), silicone, acrylate with a hydroxyl group (acrylate(OH)), acrylate without a functional group (acrylate(none)) and acrylate with a carboxyl group (acrylate(COOH)), were investigated for their release of CNS5161 and its subsequent skin permeability. Among the adhesives examined, silicone PSA provided the highest value of transdermal flux of CNS5161, which could be attributable to the highest release rate from it due to its very high thermodynamic activity. Although CNS5161 was also in the supersaturated state in SIS(1) and SIS(2) PSAs, the release and transdermal permeation from these adhesives were slower than those from silicone PSA. As for the acrylic PSAs, the highest release rate and permeability of CNS5161 were observed for acrylate(OH) PSA, followed by acrylate(none) and acrylate(COOH) PSAs, but none of them was better in terms of either the release or the permeability of CNS5161 than silicone PSA. These results clearly indicated that silicone PSA would be the most suitable for transdermal delivery of CNS5161 and silicone PSA containing 10% CNS5161 would be suitable for clinical use in humans.

Genetic Variations of the NR3A Subunit of the NMDA Receptor Modulate Prefrontal Cerebral Activity in Humans

Recently, a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit, NR3A, has been discovered in the brain. This subunit decreases NMDA receptor activity by modulating the calcium permeability of the receptor channel and current density in cortical cells. Because the NR3A is expressed in the human prefrontal cortex, we hypothesized that genetic variations of the NR3A subunit modulate prefrontal activation. Electromagnetic activity during selective attention (auditory oddball task with target processing) was measured in 281 healthy subjects. Genotyping of a missense variation (rs10989591, Val362Met) of the NR3A gene was performed. Individuals carrying Val/Val genotype showed significantly reduced frontal P300 amplitudes compared with Met/Met subjects. Subsequent low-resolution electromagnetic source analysis revealed that this group difference is likely caused by reduced activation in the inferior frontal gyrus. It was shown for the first time that the genetic constitution of the subunit composition of NMDA receptor regulation might be relevant for prefrontal information processing in humans. The results underline the pivotal role of glutamate in frontal lobe function and indicate that the NR3A subunit could be a plausible candidate gene for diseases with prefrontal dysfunctions.

Enhancement of Antidepressant-Like Effects but Not Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor mRNA Expression by the Novel N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptor Antagonist Neramexane in Mice

Improved efficacy in the treatment of depression may be achieved by the combined use of several antidepressants. In the present study, acute administration of the novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist neramexane, as well as the representative antidepressants imipramine, fluoxetine, and venlafaxine, shortened the duration of immobility in the mouse tail suspension test with a minimal effective dose of 5 mg/kg. When tested in combination, the antidepressant-like effects of 5 mg/kg imipramine, 20 mg/kg fluoxetine, and 5 mg/kg venlafaxine were potentiated by neramexane (2.5 mg/kg), a dose that alone did not produce a significant effect on the duration of immobility. These effects seemed to be specific, because they were not accompanied by significant effects on locomotor activity. The enhanced antidepressant-like activity produced with the different combinations was not synergistic as determined by comparing the theoretical and observed ED(50) values for each combination. In separate experiments, Northern blot analysis showed that a 14-day treatment with imipramine (10 mg/kg b.i.d.) increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA expression in the cortex, whereas neramexane (5 mg/kg b.i.d.) decreased it. Combined treatment produced no effect on BDNF mRNA expression. Mice treated with imipramine or neramexane for 14 days and tested shortly after the last dose demonstrated significant shortening of immobility, and the combined treatment produced an even greater antidepressant-like effect. Together, these data support the view that NMDA receptor antagonists enhance the potency of antidepressants, but they leave open the question as to whether enhanced BDNF expression is a necessary feature of the antidepressant-like effect.

Kinetic characterization of novel NR2B antagonists using fluorescence detection of calcium flux

To facilitate the discovery of novel N-methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, we have developed a high-throughput functional assay based on fluorescence detection of free intracellular calcium concentrations. Mouse fibroblast L(tk-) cells expressing human NR1a/NR2B NMDA receptors were plated in 96-well plates and loaded with florescence calcium indicator fluo-3 AM. NR2B antagonists were added after stimulation of NMDA receptors with 10 μM glutamate and 10 μM glycine. Changes in fluorescence after the addition of the antagonists were fitted by a single exponential equation providing k obs. The concentration dependence of k obs was linear for all NR2B antagonists at concentrations where k obs<0.2 s −1. The values of k obs for six structurally distinct NR2B antagonists were in the range of 1.1 to 7.5×10 5 M −1 s −1. These values were several orders of magnitude slower than that obtained for diffusion limited Mg 2+ channel block. The rate constants k off provided the values of t 1/2 for dissociation of NR2B antagonists in the range of 1.8 min for ifenprodil to 240 min for the slowest novel antagonist. The IC 50 values obtained from the end-point fluorescence measurements agree with K d values calculated from kinetic measurements. All kinetic constants, obtained using our fluorescence method, correlate well with data measured by voltage clamp.

Ifenprodil, a novel NMDA receptor antagonist: site and mechanism of action.

Ifenprodil is a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that selectively inhibits receptors containing the NR2B subunit. As such, it has become widely used as a tool to study subtypes of NMDA receptors both in vitro and in vivo, and as a tool for molecular studies of the properties and regulation of NMDA receptors. Ifenprodil has an unusual form of activity-dependence and its mechanism of action may involve an increase in proton inhibition of NMDA receptors. These properties are shared by analogs or derivatives of ifenprodil, some of which may be lead compounds for therapeutically useful NMDA antagonists. Such antagonists have potential as neuroprotectants, anticonvulsants, analgesics, and for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other disorders of the nervous system. The location of the ifenprodil binding site on NMDA receptors and the structural and mechanistic basis of its effects are still unknown. Recent work suggests that at least part of the ifenprodil binding site is located in the R1/R2 domain of the NR1 subunit. This region, like the S1/S2 agonist binding domain, shares homology with bacterial periplasmic binding proteins.

Neuroprotective effects of gacyclidine after experimental photochemical spinal cord lesion in adult rats: dose-window and time-window effects.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, optimal dose, and optimal time-window of gacyclidine, a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, in terms of its functional, histopathological, and electrophysiological effects after experimental spinal cord injury. The spinal cord of rats was damaged by a photochemical method and the animals were treated by saline or gacyclidine at doses of 1, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg 10 min after injury or gacyclidine 1 mg/kg 10, 30, 60, and 120 min after injury. The time-course of the motor score (walking and inclined-plane stability) was evaluated until day 18, and somatosensory evoked potentials were determined on day 18. The animals were then sacrificed, and the cross-sectional area of the spinal cord (at the epicenter of the injury, above and below the injury) was measured. Walking recovery was better in most of the groups treated after injury than in the untreated injured animals. Motor performances were related to preservation of a larger undamaged area of spinal cord at the level of the injury and, interestingly, with prevention of extension of the anatomical lesion above the level of the injury. Somatosensory evoked potential amplitudes were often higher in treated groups. These results confirm that gacyclidine induces dose-dependent and time-dependent attenuation of spinal cord damage after an experimental vascular lesion. Although all three doses induced neuroprotective effects, recovery was greater and very homogeneous in the group treated with 1 mg/kg. Moreover, recovery was slightly better and more homogeneous within the groups treated 10 and 30 min after injury compared to the other groups. It appears that, according to the existing evidence, NMDA antagonists are an essential component in the elaboration of a neuroprotective strategy after spinal cord trauma.

4-Hydroxy-1-[2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)ethyl]-4-(4-methylbenzyl)piperidine: a novel, potent, and selective NR1/2B NMDA receptor antagonist.

A structure-based search and screen of our compound library identified N-(2-phenoxyethyl)-4-benzylpiperidine (8) as a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has high selectivity for the NR1/2B subunit combination (IC(50) = 0.63 microM). We report on the optimization of this lead compound in terms of potency, side effect liability, and in vivo activity. Potency was assayed by electrical recordings in Xenopus oocytes expressing cloned rat NMDA receptors. Side effect liability was assessed by measuring affinity for alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors and inhibition of neuronal K(+) channels. Central bioavailability was gauged indirectly by determining anticonvulsant activity in a mouse maximal electroshock (MES) assay. Making progressive modifications to 8, a hydroxyl substituent on the phenyl ring para to the oxyethyl tether (10a) resulted in a approximately 25-fold increase in NR1A/2B potency (IC(50) = 0.025 microM). p-Methyl substitution on the benzyl ring (10b) produced a approximately 3-fold increase in MES activity (ED(50) = 0.7 mg/kg iv). Introduction of a second hydroxyl group into the C-4 position on the piperidine ring (10e) resulted in a substantial decrease in affinity for alpha(1) receptors and reduction in inhibition of K(+) channels with only a modest decrease in NR1A/2B and MES potencies. Among the compounds described, 10e (4-hydroxy-N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)ethyl]-4-(4-methylbenzyl)piperid ine, Co 101244/PD 174494) had the optimum pharmacological profile and was selected for further biological evaluation.

Effects of the novel NMDA antagonists CP-98,113, CP-101,581 and CP-101,606 on cognitive function and regional cerebral edema following experimental brain injury in the rat.

The present study evaluated the effects of two novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blockers and ifenprodil derivatives, CP-101,606 and CP-101,581, and their racemic mixture CP-98,113, on spatial memory and regional cerebral edema following experimental fluid-percussion (FP) brain injury in the rat (n = 66). Fifteen minutes after brain injury (2.5 atm), animals received either (1) CP-98,113 (5 mg/kg, i.p., n = 11), (2) CP-101,581 (5 mg/kg, i.p., n = 13), (3) CP-101,606 (6.5 mg/kg, i.p., n = 12), or (4) DMSO vehicle (equal volume, n = 12); followed by a continuous 24-h subcutaneous infusion of drug at a rate of 1.5 mg/kg/h by means of miniature osmotic (Alzet) pumps implanted subcutaneously. Control (uninjured) animals were subjected to identical anesthesia and surgery without injury and received DMSO vehicle (n = 8); CP-98,113 (5 mg/kg, i.p., n = 3); CP-101,581 (5 mg/kg, i.p., n = 3); or CP-101,606 (6.5 mg/kg, i.p., n = 3). FP brain injury produced a significant cognitive impairment assessed at 2 days postinjury using a well-characterized testing paradigm of visuospatial memory in the Morris Water Maze (MWM) (p < 0.001). Administration of either CP-98,113, CP-101,581, or CP-101,606 had no effect on sham (uninjured) animals, but significant attenuated spatial memory impairment assessed at 2 days postinjury (p = 0.004, p = 0.02, or p = 0.02, respectively). Administration of CP-89,113 but not CP-101,581 or CP-101,606 significantly reduced the extent of regional cerebral edema in the cortex adjacent to the site of injury (p < 0.05) and in the ipsilateral hippocampus (p < 0.05) and thalamus (p < 0.05). These results suggest that excitatory neurotransmission may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of memory dysfunction following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and that blockade of the NMDA receptor may significantly attenuate cognitive deficits associated with TBI.

Electrophysiological characterisation of the antagonist properties of two novel NMDA receptor glycine site antagonists, L-695,902 and L-701,324

The pharmacological effects of two novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor glycine site antagonists, L-701,324 and L-695,902 were examined on whole-cell voltage-clamped cells and compared to a prototypic antagonist, 7-chlorokynurenic acid. Both L-701,324 and L-695,902 non-competitively antagonised NMDA responses elicited in rat cultured cortical neurones, this was shown to be due to a competitive interaction at the glycine co-agonist site on the receptor complex (Kb values: 19nM and 2.6μM, respectively). Inhibition curves for the antagonism of responses to combined applications of NMDA and glycine showed that both antagonists were devoid of any intrinsic activity i.e. “full” antagonists and were, therefore, capable of completely abolishing inward currents. Despite this fact, both of these novel antagonists apparently modulated glutamate affinity for its recognition site—a property hitherto associated only with glycine site partial agonists. Human recombinant NMDA receptors comprising NR1a/NR2A and NR1a/NR2B subunits expressed in mouse fibroblast cells were also used to determine whether L-701,324 and L-695,902 were capable of discriminating between subtypes of NMDA receptor. Inhibition curves to each antagonist showed no difference in affinity for either of these subunit assemblies (mKi values: L-701,324=0.005μM on both assemblies; L-695,902=4.37 and 3.7μM on NR1a/NR2A and NR1a/NR2B, respectively). Kinetic analysis of the off-rates of antagonism with L-701,324 revealed that the high affinity of this compound compared to 7-chlorokynurenic acid were attributable to an exceptionally slow dissociation of the antagonist from the receptor.

ARL-15896, a NovelN-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor Ion Channel Antagonist: Neuroprotection against Mitochondrial Metabolic Toxicity and Regional Pharmacology

ARL-15896 [(+)-α-phenyl-2-pyridineethanamine], formerly known as FPL-15896, is a novelN-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor ion channel antagonist. Using quantitative receptor autoradiography, we examined the regional binding characteristics of ARL-15896 and compared them to those of MK-801, the prototypical NMDA receptor channel blocker. The affinity of ARL-15896 was much lower (3000-fold) than that of MK-801 in all brain regions examined. In addition, in contrast to MK-801, which has a higher affinity in the forebrain than in the cerebellum (IC50of 10 nMvs 24 nM), ARL-15896 had a higher affinity in the cerebellum than in the forebrain (IC50of 17 μMvs 45 μM). The neuroprotective potential of ARL-15896 was investigated in a rat model of excitotoxicity, the intrastriatal injection of malonate. Malonate is a competitive inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, and its toxicity has been shown to be mediated largely by the NMDA receptor. Administration of ARL-15896 either intrastriatally (200 nmol) or subcutaneously (9.0 mg/kg) reduced the volume of the lesion produced by 1 μmol of malonate by 80%, a degree similar to that reported for MK-801. ARL-15896 was also protective when administered after the malonate injection. Furthermore, in contrast to MK-801, administration of ARL-15896 was not associated with any apparent behavioral side effects. This report is consistent with previous studies suggesting that drugs with regional pharmacological profiles similar to that of ARL-15896 have better clinical tolerability; it also indicates that ARL-15896 is an effective neuroprotective agent.

Effects of a novel [formula omitted] (NMDA) receptor antagonist, 3,3′-dimethyl-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydro-6,8,6′8′-tetramethoxy-[10,10′-bi-2-oxanthracene]-4,9,9′(1 H,1′ H)-triol 4-acetate (ES-242-1), on NMDA-induced increases of intracellular Ca 2+ concentration in cultured hippocampal neurons

The effects of a novel N- methyl- d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, ES-242-1 3,3′-dimethyl-3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydro-6,8,6′8′-tetramethoxy-[10,10′-bi-2-oxanthracene]-4,9,9′(1 H,1′ H)-triol 4-acetate, on NMDA-induced increases of intracellular Ca 2+ concentration in cultured hippocampal neurons were examined.ES-242-1 selectively blocked the NMDA-induced increase in intracellular free Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+] i), but not the [Ca 2+] i increase stimulated by quisqualate or kainate. The effect of ES-242-1 appeared in the slow development of a blockade of [Ca 2+] i (half blocking time: 90sec) when 100 μM NMDA was applied with 10 μM ES-242-1, whereas the initial [Ca 2+] i rise was attenuated by 10 μM ES-242-1 when the latter was applied with a lower concentration of NMDA (10 μM). This is consistent with a previous observation that ES-242-1 binds to both the transmitter recognition site and the channel domain. The blockade by ES-242-1 was reversed by washing. In constrast, the blockade by MK-801 was not relieved easily by washing. These results suggest that ES-242-1 blocks the NMDA-induced [Ca 2+] i increase due to a combination of two well-recognized mechanisms, which are different from that of MK-801, at the NMDA receptor.

Protective Effect of FR115427 against Ischemic Hippocampal Damage in Gerbils

Excitatory amino acids and their receptors have been postulated to be involved in mediating ischemic neuronal damage. We occluded the bilateral carotid arteries for 5 min in gerbils to examine the effect of FR115427, a novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, on ischemic neuronal damage. FR115427 prevented hippocampal CA1 cell damage at a dose of 10 mg/kg and reduced spontaneous locomotor hyperactivity in gerbils after the development of ischemia at a dose of 32 mg/kg. The effective doses of MK801 were 3.2 mg/kg for preventing hippocampal CA1 cell damage and 1 mg/kg for reducing spontaneous locomotor hyperactivity. Moreover, we monitored the changes in body temperature of ischemic gerbils for 24 hr. The body temperature of ischemic gerbils significantly increased 1 hr after reperfusion. The pretreatment with FR115427 or MK801 prevented the hyperthermia provoked 1 hr after reperfusion in ischemic gerbils. In addition, the hypothermia was developed in gerbils treated with MK801 24 hr after reperfusion. However, FR115427 did not show hypothermia at any time. These results indicate that FR115427 has a protective effect against ischemic hippocampal CA1 cell damage after systemic administration, and this protective effect appears to be due to anti-NMDA activity.

Anticonvulsant Activity of Two Orally Active Competitive N‐Methyl‐D‐Aspartate Antagonists, CGP 37849 and CGP 39551, Against Sound‐Induced Seizures in DBA/2 Mice and Photically Induced Myoclonus in Papio papio

Two novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, DL-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid CPG 37849 and the corresponding 1-ethyl ester CGP 39551, were tested as anticonvulsants in DBA/2 mice and photosensitive Senegalese baboons, Papio papio. In DBA/2 mice, CGP 37849 is more potent than CGP 39551 when administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) (ED50 for suppression of clonic seizures at 60 min: i.c.v. 0.038 and 0.21 nmol; i.p. 3.40 and 19.1 mumol/kg, respectively). When administered orally in mice, the two compounds are approximately equipotent (ED50 CGP 37849, 35.2 mumol/kg; ED50 CGP 39551, 28.1 mumol/kg). The time course of action of CGP 39551 is exceptionally prolonged: 42 mumol/kg i.p. protects against clonic seizures for 48 h. Protection provided by other NMDA antagonists in mice is of much shorter duration: 2-amino-5-phosphono-pentanoic acid (AP5) 1 h, 2-amino-7-phosphono-heptanoic acid (AP7) 4 h, 2-amino-7-phosphono-heptanoic acid 1-ethyl ester 3 h, 4-(3-phosphonopropyl)-2-piperazine carboxylic acid (CPP) 2 h, cis-4-(phosphonomethyl)-2-piperidine-carboxylic acid (CGS 19755) 4 h, and CGP 37849 4 h. After oral administration of the drugs, the therapeutic index (TI = ratio of the ED50 values for rotorod performance and anticonvulsant protection) remains relatively constant at 5.9-7.2 for 3 h (CGP 37849) and 4.0-6.1 for 24 h (CGP 39551). After i.p. administration, the TI values are CGP 37849 at 1 h 2.4, and at 3 h 20.0, CGP 39551 at 1 h 2.3, at 3 h 7.1, and at 24 h 3.6. In baboons, acute administration of CGP 37849 at doses of 48-191 mumol/kg intravenously (i.v.) suppresses photically induced myoclonus for at least 285 min, with severe side effects at the highest dose tested. CGP 39551 at doses of 169-675 mumol/kg i.v. shows weak anticonvulsant activity only at the highest dose tested (accompanied by severe side effects). CGP 37849 at 48-96 mumol/kg orally (p.o.) fails to protect against photically induced myoclonus up to 4 h after administration, but 191 mumol/kg (40 mg/kg) p.o. produces complete suppression of seizures after 24 h. On the other hand, CGP 39551 at 169 mumol/kg (40 mg/kg) p.o. produces total suppression of seizure activity at 4 h with a longer duration of anticonvulsant action (2-3 days).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

A unified approach to systematic isosteric substitution for acidic groups and application to NMDA antagonists related to 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoate

A systematic approach to the replacement of acidic groups with potential bioisosteres is described. The strategy involves simple nucleophilic displacement of a common alkyl halide precursor with a variety of mercaptoazoles and related molecules. The mercaptoazoles and their oxidized derivatives (sulfinyl- and sulfonylazoles) represent a series of possible surrogates for acidic groups which span a pKa range from about 4.5-11.5. This simple strategy was extended to include 2-hydroxy- or 2-aminothiophenyl groups which function as relatively nonacidic isosteres for a phosphonic acid. By replacing the phosphonic acid of 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoate (AP-7) with these groups, we have synthesized novel N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists.

The novel N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist CGS 19755 prevents ischemia-induced reductions of adenosine A1, NMDA, and PCP receptors in gerbil brain.

Transient brain ischemia results in a selective destruction of cell bodies within the hippocampus and cortex. This cellular destruction appears to be mediated through a release of endogenous exictatory amino acids following the ischemic episode, since the neurotoxic effects of ischemia can be attenuated by compounds that have antagonist activity at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In the present study, the protective effects of a novel NMDA receptor antagonist, CGS 19755, were further evaluated by using quantitative autoradiography to characterize adenosine A1, NMDA, PCP, and benzodiazepine receptors in ischemic gerbil brain. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion (20 minutes) resulted in marked decreases (30-60%) in adenosine A1, NMDA, and PCP, but not benzodiazepine, receptors in gerbil forebrain. Postischemic treatment with CGS 19755 was found to completely block the ischemia-induced decreases in brain adenosine and NMDA receptors. [3H]TCP binding in ischemic gerbil brain was also elevated by CGS 19755 treatment; significant differences remained, however, between the CGS 19755-treated and control gerbils. These results indicate that transient brain ischemia produces significant and selective alterations in gerbil forebrain receptor systems. The observed decreases in radioligand binding are probably reflective of an ischemia-induced destruction of forebrain structures. However, there is some evidence that transient ischemia can also cause long-term changes in the affinity of some receptor systems. The postischemic efficacy of CGS 19755 appears to be due to its ability to block the neurotoxic effects of transient ischemia.