Cycloheximide analogues as potential anticonvulsants.

A series of 22 cycloheximide analogues in which the substituents on the cycloheximide ring and imide nitrogen were varied, the glutarimide ring was changed to a succinimide ring, and the ring and/or side-chain oxygens were present as ketone and/or alcohol groups were prepared and sent to the Anticonvulsant Drug Development program of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Strokes for evaluation as anticonvulsants. Three compounds, namely cycloheximide (1a), 2-methyl dione 2c, and dihydrocycloheximide (4a), were further evaluated in Phase II testing for quantification of maximum activity with the latter eventually progressing to Phase IV and Phase VI screens.