Activation of the neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) system has been shown to produce anxiolytic-like actions, arousal, and enhance memory consolidation, whereas blockade of the NPSR has been shown to reduce relapse to substances of abuse and duration of anesthetics. We report here the discovery of a novel core scaffold (+) N-benzyl-3-(2-methylpropyl)-1-oxo-3-phenyl-1H,3H,4H,5H,6H,7H-furo[3,4-c]pyridine-5-carboxamide with potent NPSR antagonist activity in vitro. Pharmacokinetic parameters demonstrate that 14b reaches pharmacologically relevant levels in plasma and the brain following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration, but is cleared rapidly from plasma. Compound 14b was able to block NPS (0.3 nmol)-stimulated locomotor activity in C57/Bl6 mice at 3 mg/kg (i.p.), indicating potent in vivo activity for the structural class. This suggests that 14b can serve as a useful tool for continued mapping of the pharmacological functions of the NPS receptor system.
