NV-5138 is a leucine analog for MD that finished Phase 1 trials recently
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NV-5138
NV-5138 is an orally active, brain penetrant small molecule leucine mimetic that directly activates mTORC1 by binding to Sestrin, a leucine amino acid sensor. Since NV-5138 works through direct, post-synaptic activation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway, it offers the potential for rapid-acting antidepressant benefits without the psychotomimetic side effects and abuse potential observed with many NMDA receptor targeted therapeutics. Preclinical models have demonstrated that NV-5138 produces rapid upregulation of key synaptic proteins, synaptic remodeling in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, sustained antidepressant behavioral responses, cognitive improvements and compound-specific spectral power changes, as measured by quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG).
