Synthetic ganglioside derivatives and compositions thereof

A synthetic compound having a formula selected from the group consisting of (Va), (Vb), (Vc) and (Vd):

• wherein the saccharide portion is selected from the group consisting of
• X is NR1R2;
• Y is —OH;
• Z is O;
• each R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of —C(=M)R3, and —C(=M)-p-R3;
• wherein M and p are independently selected from O, NR4 and S;
• R3 is H, alkyl, arylalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or heteroalkyl;
• R4 is H, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, or haloalkyl;
• R6 is H;
• R6′ is —NR9R10;
• R6″ is H;
• R7 and R8 are independently H, and aryl, where, R7 and R8 are optionally substituted with at least one group selected from the group consisting of halo, haloalkyl, alkoxy, and thiohaloalkyl;
• R7′ and R8′ are independently H, alkenyl, —C(═O)NR9R10, aryl, heteroaryl, or a linked bicyclic mixture of aryl and heteroaryl, where R7′ and R8′ are optionally substituted with at least one group selected from the group consisting of halo, haloalkyl, alkoxy, and thiohaloalkyl;
• R9, R10, and R11 are independently alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroalkyl, where R9, R10, and R11 are optionally substituted, preferably-substituted with at least one group selected from the group consisting of halo, haloalkyl, alkoxy, and thiohaloalkyl;
• or where R9 and R10 taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring comprising at least one heteroatom selected from N, O and S;
• and all pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and geometric isomers thereof.