Heterocyclic Analogues of Modafinil as Novel, Atypical Dopamine Transporter Inhibitors

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
2017.0

Abstract

Modafinil is a wake promoting compound with high potential for cognitive enhancement. It is targeting the dopamine transporter (DAT) with moderate selectivity, thereby leading to reuptake inhibition and increased dopamine levels in the synaptic cleft. A series of modafinil analogues have been reported so far, but more target-specific analogues remain to be discovered. It was the aim of this study to synthesize and characterize such analogues and, indeed, a series of compounds were showing higher activities on the DAT and a higher selectivity toward DAT versus serotonin and norepinephrine transporters than modafinil. This was achieved by substituting the amide moiety by five- and six-membered aromatic heterocycles. In vitro studies indicated binding to the cocaine pocket on DAT, although molecular dynamics revealed binding different from that of cocaine. Moreover, no release of dopamine was observed, ruling out amphetamine-like effects. The absence of neurotoxicity of a representative analogue may encourage further preclinical studies of the above-mentioned compounds.

Knowledge Graph

Similar Paper

Heterocyclic Analogues of Modafinil as Novel, Atypical Dopamine Transporter Inhibitors
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2017.0
Structure–Activity Relationships of Novel Thiazole-Based Modafinil Analogues Acting at Monoamine Transporters
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2020.0
Novel and High Affinity 2-[(Diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide (Modafinil) Analogues as Atypical Dopamine Transporter Inhibitors
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2016.0
SARs at the Monoamine Transporters for a Novel Series of Modafinil Analogues
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters 2011.0
Mazindol Analogues as Potential Inhibitors of the Cocaine Binding Site at the Dopamine Transporter
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2002.0
Synthesis and Evaluation of Dopamine and Serotonin Transporter Inhibition by Oxacyclic and Carbacyclic Analogues of Methylphenidate
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2003.0
Synthesis, Molecular Modeling, and Biological Studies of Novel Piperidine-Based Analogues of Cocaine:  Evidence of Unfavorable Interactions Proximal to the 3α-Position of the Piperidine Ring
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2004.0
2β-Substituted Analogues of 4‘-Iodococaine:  Synthesis and Dopamine Transporter Binding Potencies
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 1998.0
Further SAR Studies of Piperidine-Based Analogues of Cocaine. 2. Potent Dopamine and Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2000.0
Slow-Onset, Long-Duration, Alkyl Analogues of Methylphenidate with Enhanced Selectivity for the Dopamine Transporter
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2007.0