The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising compounds useful for stimulating neurogenesis and/or inhibiting neuronal degeneration. Thus, the present invention can be used in the treatment of diseases and conditions characterized by neuronal loss and reduced neurogenesis including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and depression. This invention could also be used for research products including single agents or mixtures of agents to promote, proliferate, differentiate, or maintain neurons from stem or progenitor cells. One compound according to the invention is: (see above formula) wherein each R1 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, F, Cl, Br, R7, and -O-R7, wherein R7 is a substituted 1-6 carbon alkyl or a 6-14 carbon aryl or aralkyl group； R2 is selected from O or S； R3 is (CH2)m, wherein m is 1, 2 or 3； R4 is selected from the group consisting of an N and (CH n), wherein n equals 1 or 2, with the proviso that when R4 is nitrogen then m in R3 should not be equal to 1； R5 is a substituted heterocyclic aromatic group, except where R5 is 4- quinolinyl the substitution at the 2' position cannot be H or an amino group； and R6 is H.
