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[4-(4-Methyl-2-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)thiazole-5-yl)pyrimidine-2-amine] (JNJ-2482272), under investigation as an anti-inflammatory agent, was orally administered to rats once daily at 60 mg/kg for 6 consecutive days. Despite high plasma exposure after single administration (C

[Image: see text] Glutamate mediates fast excitatory neurotransmission via ionotropic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors. The trafficking and gating properties of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) can be amplified by transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs), which are often expressed in localized brain regions. Herein, we describe the discovery, lead optimization, and preclinical characterization of 5-arylbenzimidazolone and oxindole-based negative modulators of AMPARs associated with TARP γ-8, the primary TARP found in hippocampus. High-throughput screen lead 4 was optimized for potency and brain penetration to provide benzimidazolone 3, JNJ-55511118.1 Replacement of the benzimidazolone core in 3 with an oxindole mitigated reactive metabolite formation and led to the identification of 18 (GluA1/γ-8 pIC(50) = 9.7). Following oral dosing in rats, 18 demonstrated robust target engagement in hippocampus as assessed by ex vivo autoradiography (ED(50) = 0.6 mg/kg, plasma EC(50) = 9 ng/mL).

The pre-clinical characterization of novel aryloxypyridine amides that are histamine H(3) receptor antagonists is described. These compounds are high affinity histamine H(3) ligands that penetrate the CNS and occupy the histamine H(3) receptor in rat brain. Several compounds were extensively profiled pre-clinically leading to the identification of two compounds suitable for nomination as development candidates.

Pre-clinical characterization of novel substituted pyrrolidines that are high affinity histamine H(3) receptor antagonists is described. These compounds efficiently penetrate the CNS and occupy the histamine H(3) receptor in rat brain following oral administration. One compound, (2S,4R)-1-[2-(4-cyclobutyl-[1,4]diazepane-1-carbonyl)-4-(3-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethanone, was extensively profiled and shows promise as a potential clinical candidate.