Igmesine

Igmesine (JO-1,784) is a sigma receptor agonist (IC50 = 39 nM (rat brain)). It has neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects in animal studies, as well as nootropic effects in models of age-related cognitive decline. In two phase II clinical trials, igmesine was found to be effective in the treatment of depression and was as active as the comparator fluoxetine. However, in a large phase III clinical trial, igmesine failed to show significant effectiveness for depression. The drug has not been developed further. Igmesine (JO-1,784) is a sigma receptor agonist (IC50 = 39 nM (rat brain)). It has neuroprotective and antidepressant-like effects in animal studies, as well as nootropic effects in models of age-related cognitive decline. In two phase II clinical trials, igmesine was found to be effective in the treatment of depression and was as active as the comparator fluoxetine. However, in a large phase III clinical trial, igmesine failed to show significant effectiveness for depression. The drug has not been developed further.