Discovery of a Potent, CNS‐Penetrant Orexin Receptor Antagonist Based on an <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>‐Disubstituted‐1,4‐diazepane Scaffold that Promotes Sleep in Rats

Abstract

Silent Night: Antagonism of the orexin (or hypocretin) system has recently been identified as a novel mechanism for the treatment of insomnia. Herein, we describe discovery of a dual (OX(1)R/OX(2)R) orexin receptor antagonist featuring a 1,4-diazepane central constraint that blocks orexin signaling in vivo. In telemetry-implanted rats, oral administration of this antagonist produced a decrease in wakefulness, while increasing REM and non-REM sleep.