Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and STriatal-Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase 61 (STEP61) have opposing functions in the brain, with BDNF supporting and STEP61 opposing synaptic strengthening. BDNF and STEP61 also exhibit an inverse pattern of expression in a number of brain disorders, including schizophrenia (SZ). NMDAR antagonists such as phencyclidine (PCP) elicit SZ-like...
[reaction: see text] A tetrahydrobis(benzofuran) mescaline analogue has been prepared in six steps and 38% overall yield from (4'-O-methyl)methyl gallate. The key step in this synthesis is a tandem cyclization reaction via directed C[bond]H activation followed by olefin insertion.