Phosphodiesterase inhibition has received much attention in the past 20 years for the potential treatment of CNS disorders. A primary focus of this work is the enhancement of memory and/or cognitive functioning. The role of PDEs in the augmentation of cyclic nucleotide signaling makes these enzymes attractive targets for enhancing the effects of neuronal communication. This review focuses on recent findings with respect to the role of PDE2 inhibition in cognitive functioning. Special attention is paid to recently disclosed, selective tool compounds and the use of these tool compounds to support the role of PDE2 inhibition in cognition. Recently reported SAR and modeling work will be presented along with discussion of the entry of new PDE2 inhibitors into the clinic.
A series of potent thienotriazolopyrimidinone-based PDE1 inhibitors was discovered. X-ray crystal structures of example compounds from this series in complex with the catalytic domain of PDE1B and PDE10A were determined, allowing optimization of PDE1B potency and PDE selectivity. Reduction of hERG affinity led to greater than a 3000-fold selectivity for PDE1B over hERG. 6-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-9-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methyl)-8,9,10,11-tetrahydropyrido[4',3':4,5]thieno[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidin-5(6H)-one was identified as an orally bioavailable and brain penetrating PDE1B enzyme inhibitor with potent memory-enhancing effects in a rat model of object recognition memory.
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