1,2-ethanediol derivative or action enhancer of brain-derived nerve growth factor, as well as 1,2-ethanediol derivative or a pharmaceutical composition containing the salt and brain-derived nerve growth factor of a salt thereof.

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) action-reinforcing agent, and to provide a medicine which contains a BDNF action-reinforcing compound and BDNF. SOLUTION: The 1,2-ethanediol derivative represented by the general formula (1) [R1 is a heterocyclic group which may be substituted; R2 is H or a hydroxy-protecting group; R3 is H or a lower alkyl; n R4 groups and n R5 groups are each identically or differently H or a lower alkyl; R6 is amino or ammonio which may be substituted; (n) is an integer of 1 to 6] or its salt has an action for reinforcing the nerve-protecting action of BDNF. Therefore, the 1,2-ethanediol derivative represented by the general formula (1) or its salt, alone or its combination with BDNF, is useful for treating and preventing various diseases caused by the degeneration of central nervous systems or peripheral nervous systems, for example, central nervous diseases such as Alzheimer' s disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's chorea; various neuropathies, traumatic nervous disorders, retinal degeneration disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.