Synthesis and biological activity of the neuronal calcium channel blocker 2-amino-1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-trifluoromethyl benzimidazole (NS-649)

The substituted benzimidazole, NS-649, has been shown to be a blocker of neuronal calcium channels in patch-clamp studies. NS-649 dose-dependently inhibited release of -aspartate from cerebellar granule neurons. The neuroprotective effect of this compound in in vitro and in vivo models of ischemia was demonstrated.