Abstract: Percutaneous absorption preparations which make it possible to absorb compounds having a melatonin receptor agonist activity via a convenient administration system, have favorable blood-drug-concentration-time profile and can exert a therapeutic effect on a disease caused by a decrease in secretion of melatonin at night.

Abstract: A PKB (Akt) activating agent comprising a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 and R2: H, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group or R1 and R2 form a ring in cooperation with the adjacent carbon atom; R3: H, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group; W: represents a group represented by the formulas: wherein ring A: an optionally substituted benzene ring; ring B: an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycle; R4: an aliphatic hydrocarbon group substituted with an aromatic group and further optionally substituted, or an acyl group containing an aromatic group; R5: H, C1-6 alkyl or acyl; R4c: an aromatic group, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or acyl; and X: O or S; Y: O, S or NH; and ring C: an optionally substituted benzene ring, or a salt or a prodrug thereof, and use of the activating agent in prevention or treatment of depression, anxiety, manic-depressive psychosis or PTSD are provided.

Abstract: There is provided an agent for preventing the recurrence of cerebrovascular disorder and an agent for ameliorating troubles following cerebrovascular disorder and inhibiting the progress thereof which contain a compound having an angiotensin II antagonistic activity, a prodrug thereof or a salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for nocturnal conduct disorders associated with dementia, comprising (S)—N-[2-(1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethyl]propionamide.

Abstract: Percutaneous absorption preparations which make it possible to absorb compounds having a melatonin receptor agonist activity via a convenient administration system, have favorable blood-drug-concentration-time profile and can exert a therapeutic effect on a disease caused by a decrease in secretion of melatonin at night.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for depression or anxiety disorders, comprising (S)-N-[2-(1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethyl]propionamide.

Abstract: An agent for promoting the proliferation or differentiation of a stem cell and/or neural progenitor cell, comprising a compound represented by Formula: wherein each of R1 and R2 is H, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group, or taken together with the adjacent carbon atom to form a ring, R3 is H, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group, W is a group represented by Formula: wherein Ring A is an optionally substituted benzene ring, Ring B is an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring, R4 is an acyl group having an aliphatic hydrocarbon group, which is substituted by an aromatic group and may have a further substitutent, or aromatic group, R5 is H, C1-6 alkyl or acyl, R4c is an aromatic group, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or acyl, and X is O or S; Y is O, S or NH, Ring C is an optionally substituted benzene ring, or a salt or prodrug thereof is provided.

Abstract: A combination of (S)—N-[2-(1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethyl]propionamide with a medicine capable of prolonging a slow-wave sleep time provides a preventive or therapeutic agent for sleep disorder that induces natural sleep, shortens sleep latency, increases deep sleep, excels in sleep maintenance and ensures an appropriate sleep time.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula: (wherein, R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group, or R1 and R2 may form, together with the adjacent carbon atom, a 3-8 membered iso- or heterocyclic group, R3 represents a cyclic group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group that may have oxo, or an amino group, R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group which may have oxo, or an amino group, or R2 and R4 may link together to form a double bond, X represents a bond or a linear hydrocarbon group, W represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, ring B represents a 5-8 membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, ring C represents a benzene ring, and represents a single bond or a double bond), or a salt or a prodrug thereof that has excellent neurodegenerative inhibitory activity and brain penetrability, and is useful as an agent for preventing/treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula: (wherein, R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group, or R1 and R2 may form, together with the adjacent carbon atom, a 3–8 membered iso- or heterocyclic group, R3 represents a cyclic group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group that may have oxo, or an amino group, R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group which may have oxo, or an amino group, or R2 and R4 may link together to form a double bond, X represents a bond or a linear hydrocarbon group, W represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, ring B represents a 5–8 membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, ring C represents a benzene ring, and— represents a single bond or a double bond), or a salt or a prodrug thereof that has excellent neurodegenerative inhibitory activity and brain penetrability, and is useful as an agent for preventing/treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: By combining one or more drugs selected from the group consisting of sedative antidepressants and antihistamines with (S)—N-[2-(1,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-indeno[5,4-b]furan-8-yl)ethyl]propionamide, there is provided a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for sleep disorder that induces natural sleep, shortens sleep latency, increases deep sleep, is excellent in maintaining sleep, and exerts to attain appropriate sleep duration.

Abstract: A PKB (Akt) activating agent comprising a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 and R2: H, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group or R1 and R2 form a ring in cooperation with the adjacent carbon atom; R3: H, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group; W: represents a group represented by the formulas: wherein ring A: an optionally substituted benzene ring; ring B: an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycle; R4: an aliphatic hydrocarbon group substituted with an aromatic group and further optionally substituted, or an acyl group containing an aromatic group; R5: H, C1-6 alkyl or acyl; R4c: an aromatic group, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or acyl; and X: O or S; Y: O, S or NH; and ring C: an optionally substituted benzene ring, or a salt or a prodrug thereof, and use of the activating agent in prevention or treatment of depression, anxiety, manic-depressive psychosis or PTSD are provided.

Abstract: An excellent ? secretase inhibitor is provided, which comprises a compound of the general formula: wherein Ar is an aromatic group; X is a divalent group selected from —O—, —S—, —CO—, —SO—, —SO2—, —NR8—, CONR8—, —SO2NR8—, and —COO— (wherein R8 is hydrogen, etc.), a divalent C1-6 aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may contain one or two of these divalent groups, or a bond; Y is a divalent group selected from —O—, —S—, —CO—, —SO—, —SO2—, —NR8—, —CONR8—, —SO2NR8—, and —COO—, or a divalent C1-6 aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may contain one or two of these divalent groups; R1 and R2 are hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group, etc., respectively; and A is a ring which may be further substituted, or a salt thereof.

Abstract: A PKB (Akt) activating agent comprising a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein R1 and R2: H, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group or R1 and R2 form a ring in cooperation with the adjacent carbon atom; R3: H, a hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic group; W: represents a group represented by the formulas: wherein ring A: an optionally substituted benzene ring; ring B: an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycle; R4: an aliphatic hydrocarbon group substituted with an aromatic group and further optionally substituted, or an acyl group containing an aromatic group; R5: H, C1-6 alkyl or acyl; R4c: an aromatic group, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or acyl; and X:O or S; Y:O, S or NH; and ring C: an optionally substituted benzene ring, or a salt or a prodrug thereof, and use of the activating agent in prevention or treatment of depression, anxiety, manic-depressive psychosis or PTSD are provided.

Abstract: There is provided an agent for preventing the recurrence of cerebrovascular disorder and an agent for ameliorating troubles following cerebrovascular disorder and inhibiting the progress thereof which contain a compound having an angiotensin II antagonistic activity, a prodrug thereof or a salts thereof.

Abstract: There is provided an agent for preventing the recurrence of cerebrovascular disorder and an agent for ameliorating troubles following cerebrovascular disorder and inhibiting the progress thereof which contain a compound having an angiotensin II antagonistic activity, a prodrug thereof or a salts thereof.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula: 1

Abstract: An agent for promoting the proliferation or differentiation of a stem cell and/or neural progenitor cell, comprising a compound represented by Formula: 1

Abstract: A prophylactic or therapeutic agent for central nervous system diseases based on amyloid &bgr;40 secretion inhibitory activity of a compound having urotensin II receptor antagonistic activity or a salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for neurotrophic action which comprises a compound of the formula: 1