Pozanicline ( INN, codenamed ABT-089) is a drug developed by Abbott, that has

nootropic Nootropics ( , or ) (colloquial: smart drugs and cognitive enhancers, similar to adaptogens) are a wide range of natural or synthetic dietary supplement, supplements or drugs and other substances that are claimed to improve cognitive function ...

and

neuroprotective Neuroprotection refers to the relative preservation of neuronal structure and/or function. In the case of an ongoing insult (a neurodegenerative insult) the relative preservation of neuronal integrity implies a reduction in the rate of neuronal los ...

effects. Animal studies suggested it useful for the treatment of

ADHD Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by excessive amounts of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that are pervasive, impairing in multiple contexts, and otherwise age-inap ...

and subsequent human trials have shown ABT-089 to be effective for this application. It binds with high affinity subtype-selective to the α₄β₂

nicotinic acetylcholine receptors Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, or nAChRs, are receptor polypeptides that respond to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Nicotinic receptors also respond to drugs such as the agonist nicotine. They are found in the central and peripheral ...

and has

partial agonism In pharmacology, partial agonists are drugs that bind to and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist. They may also be considered ligands which display both agonistic and antagonistic ef ...

to the α₆β₂ subtype, but not the α₇ and α₃β₄ subtypes familiar to nicotine. It has particularly low tendency to cause side effects compared to other drugs in the class, making it an exciting candidate for clinical development.

Synthesis

Pozanicline is synthesized from 2-methyl-3-hydroxypyridine and Boc-L-Prolinol through a dehydration reaction followed by deprotection of the nitrogen atom of prolinol

References

{{Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulators Nicotinic agonists Nootropics Phenol ethers Pyridines Pyrrolidines Stimulants