Methylphenidate Analogues Targeting Alpha-Synuclein Synapsin III

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for Parkinson's disease, such as methylphenidate (MPH), do not effectively target the alpha-synuclein/Synapsin III interplay, which is crucial for neuronal degeneration and motor impairment in Parkinson's disease, and may have limited efficacy in reducing alpha-synuclein aggregation and improving motor symptoms.

Innovation Solution

Development of methylphenidate analogues, particularly the threo isomers with structural modifications like the p-tolyl group, that enhance interaction with Synapsin III, reducing alpha-synuclein aggregation and stimulating functional interaction, thereby offering disease-modifying effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If methylphenidate (MPH) is used to treat Parkinson's disease, then motor symptoms are temporarily alleviated through dopamine reuptake inhibition, but the treatment does not effectively target alpha-synuclein aggregation and neuronal degeneration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficacy in reducing alpha-synuclein aggregationVSAvoidability to target alpha-synuclein/Synapsin III interplay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of methylphenidate by changing parameters such as the aromatic ring substitution (adding p-tolyl group), stereochemistry (selecting threo isomer), and side chain modifications to create analogues that specifically target Synapsin III and alpha-synuclein interaction, thereby improving efficacy in reducing alpha-synuclein aggregation while maintaining dopamine transporter inhibition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces Synapsin III as an intermediary target molecule. The modified methylphenidate analogues work by enhancing the interaction between Synapsin III and alpha-synuclein, using Synapsin III as a mediator to achieve disease-modifying effects that conventional MPH cannot accomplish

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional methylphenidate is used, then dopamine reuptake is inhibited providing symptomatic relief, but disease-modifying effects are not achieved due to inability to reduce alpha-synuclein aggregation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisease-modifying effectVSAvoidstructural modification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies systematic parameter changes to the methylphenidate molecular structure, including stereochemical configuration (threo isomer selection), aromatic ring modifications (p-tolyl group addition), and side chain variations, to achieve disease-modifying effects while maintaining feasibility of synthesis through established organic chemistry methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If structural modifications are made to enhance Synapsin III interaction, then alpha-synuclein aggregation is reduced and disease-modifying effects are achieved, but molecular complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to stimulate alpha-synuclein/Synapsin III interactionVSAvoidmolecular structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality modifications by making specific, targeted changes to particular regions of the methylphenidate molecule (such as adding substituents at specific positions on the aromatic ring or modifying specific side chains) rather than completely redesigning the entire molecular structure, thus enhancing Synapsin III interaction while limiting overall molecular complexity increase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4192456B1Structural analogues of methylphenidate as parkinson's disease-modifying agents
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 UNIV DEGLI STUDI DI BRESCIA
  • EP4192456B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4192456B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4192456B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention describes compounds of formula (A) for use as Parkinson's disease modifying-agents, said formula (A). Surprisingly it has been found that the compounds of the invention can significantly reduce alpha-synuclein aggregation and stimulate the functional interaction between alpha-synuclein and Synapsin III.