Use of 9-substituted purine analogues and other molecules to stimulate neurogenesis

The present invention is directed to a method of inducing neurogenesis by administering to a mammal an effective quantity of a compound that induces neurogenesis, where neurogenesis includes proliferation of neural stem and progenitor cells, differentiation of these cells into neurons, and/or survival of these new neurons. In general, the compound comprises three moieties, A, L, and B, covalently linked. A can be a purine, tetrahydroindolone, or pyrimidine; L is a linker, while B is a moiety that promotes absorption of the compound. A particularly preferred compound is N4-[[3-(6-oxo-1,6-dihydropurin-9-yl)-1-oxopropyl] amino] benzoic acid (also known as AIT-082 or leteprinim potassium). Another aspect of the invention is pharmaceutical compositions for inducing neurogenesis.