Benzo-fused 5-membered hetrocycle compounds, process for preparation of the same, and use thereof

Abstract

A compound represented by the formula: (wherein, Rand Rare the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon group or heterocyclic group, or Rand Rmay form, together with the adjacent carbon atom, a 3–8 membered iso- or heterocyclic group, Rrepresents a cyclic group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group that may have oxo, or an amino group, Rrepresents a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group which may have oxo, or an amino group, or Rand Rmay link together to form a double bond, X represents a bond or a linear hydrocarbon group, W represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, ring B represents a 5–8 membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, ring C represents a benzene ring, and— represents a single bond or a double bond), or a salt or a prodrug thereof that has excellent neurodegenerative inhibitory activity and brain penetrability, and is useful as an agent for preventing/treating neurodegenerative diseases.