STEP-IN-1 (Compound 14b) is a potent and selective STEP inhibitor with an IC 50 of 5.27 μM. STEP-IN-1 has a neuroprotective effect, which can protect nerve cells from glutamate-induced toxicity, reduce cellular ROS accumulation, and inhibit apoptosis. STEP-IN-1 can be used in the study of neurodegenerative diseases.