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Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
Design and Synthesis of mGlu2 NAMs with Improved Potency and CNS Penetration Based on a Truncated Picolinamide Core
Katrina A Bollinger1, Andrew S Felts2,1, Christopher J Brassard2,1
1Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States.
Abstract:
Herein, we detail the optimization of the mGlu2 negative allosteric modulator (NAM), VU6001192, by a reductionist approach to afford a novel, simplified mGlu2 NAM scaffold. This new chemotype not only affords potent and selective mGlu2 inhibition, as exemplified by VU6001966 (mGlu2 IC50 = 78 nM, mGlu3 IC50 > 30 μM), but also excellent central nervous system (CNS) penetration (Kp = 1.9, Kp,uu = 0.78), a feature devoid in all previously disclosed mGlu2 NAMs (Kps ≈ 0.3, Kp,uus ≈ 0.1). Moreover, this series, based on overall properties, represents an exciting lead series for potential mGlu2 PET tracer development.
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