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EntityQ5514756· pop 7· linked from 782 articles

Also known as 3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)anabaseine, Dimethoxybenzylidene anabaseine, DMXB-A, DMXB-Anabaseine

GTS-21 (also known as DMXBA or DMBX-anabaseine) is an investigational new drug being studied for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders, as well as for its potential to enhance memory and cognitive function. Despite study of the molecule since 1990s, as of 2025 it has not been shown to be effective in clinical trials.

Wikidata facts

Mass
308.152
Show 4 more facts
chemical formula
C₁₉H₂₀N₂O₂
canonical SMILES
COC1=CC(=C(C=C1)C=C2CCCN=C2C3=CN=CC=C3)OC
isomeric SMILES
COC1=CC(=C(C=C1)/C=C/2\CCCN=C2C3=CN=CC=C3)OC
Commons category
GTS-21
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Contents
  • Research and clinical trial history
  • References
  • Further reading

GTS-21 (also known as DMXBA or DMBX-anabaseine) is an investigational new drug being studied for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders, as well as for its potential to enhance memory and cognitive function. Despite study of the molecule since 1990s, as of 2025 it has not been shown to be effective in clinical trials.

GTS-21 is a derivative of the natural product anabaseine that acts as a partial agonist at neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). It binds to both the α4β2 and α7 subtypes, but activates only the α7 to any significant extent. Activation of the α7 nAChR has been shown to have neuroprotective effects which has made GTS-21 a focus of research in the treatment of neurological diseases.

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