NEUROTROPHIC FACTOR-LIKE LOW MOLECULAR COMPOUND

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a neurotrophic factor-like low molecular compound which possesses the regeneration or extension facilitative ettect on axon and neurocyte survival retention effect and is useful as a medicine by including a specific structural compound. SOLUTION: This neurotrophic factor-like low molecular compound is obtained by including a compound having the dienone structure of formula I, perferably a Δ7-prostaglandin A1 derivative (e.g.13,14-dihydro-15-epi-Δ7-PGA1 methyl ester or the like) of preferably formula II [R1 and R2 are each H, a (substituted)alkyl or the like; the wavy line shows that the part is a stereoisomer or its mixture] as an active ingredient. The compound of formula II is prepared by reacting the compound of formula III (OTBDMS is tert-butyldimethylsiloxy) with a compound of formula R2Li, Zn(CH3)2 and then R1CHO in tetrahydrofuran (THF), adding CH3SO2Cl and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine to the product in CH2Cl2 to react them and reacting the resultant product with acetic acid, THF and water.