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A series of rotationally restricted phenolic analogs of the neurotransmitter serotonin has been synthesized with the 5-hydroxyindole portion of serotonin replaced by a dihydropyrano[3,2-e]-indole (1, 3, 4, and 5) and a dihydropyrano[2,3-f]indole (2). The receptor binding profile of these compounds has been studied and compared to the natural substrate serotonin. The dihydropyrano[3,2-e]indole derivatives (1, 3, 4, and 5) possess lower affinity for 5-HT1 receptors but equal or greater affinity for 5-HT2 receptors. Like serotonin, these compounds dose-dependently stimulated phosphatidylinositol turnover in rat brain slices. Moreover, the response to 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-methyl-8,9-dihydropyrano[3,2-]indole (5, CP-132,484) and 1-(2-aminoethyl)-8,9-dihydropyrano[3,2-e]indole (4) is selectively antagonized by 5-HT2 receptor antagonists establishing these tryptamines as selective 5-HT2 receptor agonists. The high affinity and potency of 5 for 5-HT2 receptors suggests that the C5-hydroxy group in serotonin can function as a hydrogen bond acceptor in a 5-HT2 receptor with a directionality of interaction which is down and away from C6 in serotonin (Figure 5). Furthermore, the potent affinity of these compounds for 5-HT2 receptors coupled with their poor affinity for 5-HT1 receptors indicates that the aminoethyl side chain of serotonin adopts significantly different conformations in 5-HT1 versus 5-HT2 receptors.

3-(1,2,5,6-Tetrahydro-4-pyridyl)-5-n-propoxyindole (CP-96,501) was found to be more selective ligand at the serotonin 5-HT1B receptor than the commonly used 5-HT1B agonist, 3-(1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridyl)-5-methoxyindole (RU 24969). In rat brain membranes, the tritiated derivative, [3H]CP-96,501, was found to bind with a high affinity (KD, 0.21 nM) to a single binding site (nH, 1.0). The receptor density of this site (Bmax, 72 fmol/mg of protein) matched that of the 5-HT1B receptor determined with [3H]5-HT. Competition curves of 16 serotonergic compounds in [3H]CP-96,501 binding also indicated a single binding site. The rank order of their binding affinities with this new radioligand showed a high degree of correlation with their affinities at the 5-HT1B receptor determined with [3H]5-HT or [125I]iodocyanopindolol. Serotonergic compounds displayed competitive inhibition of [3H]CP-96,501 binding. In the presence of 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], [3H]CP-96,501 to displace [125I]iodocyanopindolol binding was also decreased. These findings are consistent with the agonist nature of CP-96,501. The results of this study suggest that [3H]CP-96,501 is a useful agonist radioligand for the 5-HT1B receptor.

A series of 4-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalines has been prepared. Many compounds from this class reduce immobility in Porsolt's behavioral despair model in rats upon acute administration and may therefore have therapeutic potential as novel and rapid acting antidepressant agents. Optimal activity in this test is associated with hydrogen, CF3, or small alkyl groups in the 1-position, with NH2, NH-acetyl, or amines substituted with small alkyl groups in the 4-position, and with hydrogen or 8-halogen substituents in the aromatic ring. Furthermore, many of these 4-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalines bind avidly, and in some cases very selectively, to adenosine A1 and A2 receptors. A1 affinity of these compounds was measured by their inhibition of tritiated CHA (N6-cyclohexyladenosine) binding in rat cerebral cortex membranes and A2 affinity by their inhibition of tritiated NECA (5'-(N-ethylcarbamoyl)adenosine) binding to rat striatal homogenate in the presence of cold N6-cyclopentyladenosine. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies show that best A1 affinity is associated with ethyl, CF3, or C2F5 in the 1-position, NH-iPr or NH-cycloalkyl in the 4-position, and with an 8-chloro substituent. Affinity at the A2 receptor is mostly dependent on the presence of an NH2 group in the 4-position and is enhanced by phenyl, CF3, or ethyl in the 1-position. The most selective A1 ligand by a factor of greater than 3000 is 121 (CP-68,247; 8-chloro-4-(cyclohexyl-amino)-1- (trifluoromethyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline) with an IC50 of 28 nM at the A1 receptor. The most potent A2 ligand is 128 (CP-66,713; 4-amino-8-chloro-1- phenyl[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline) with an IC50 of 21 nM at the A2 receptor and a 13-fold selectivity for this receptor. Representatives from this series appear to act as antagonists at both A1 and A2 receptors since they antagonize the inhibiting action of CHA on norepinephrine-stimulated cAMP formation in fat cells and they decrease cAMP accumulation induced by adenosine in limbic forebrain slices. Thus certain members of this 4-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline series are among the most potent and A1 or A2 selective non-xanthine adenosine antagonists known.

Tritiated sertraline, a radiolabeled form of a potent and selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake, was found to bind with high affinity to rat whole brain membranes. Characterization studies showed that [3H] sertraline binding occurred at a single site with the following parameters: KD 0.57 nM, Bmax 821 fmol/mg protein, nH 1.06. This binding was reversible; the dissociation constant calculated from kinetic measurements (KD 0.81 nM) agreed with that determined by saturation binding experiments. [3H] Sertraline binding in the presence of serotonin, paroxetine, fluoxetine or imipramine suggested competitive inhibition of binding (large increase in KD with little change in Bmax). The rank order of potency of inhibition of [3H] sertraline binding was similar to that of inhibition of serotonin uptake for known uptake inhibitors and the 1-amino-4-phenyltetralin uptake blockers. A marked decrease in ex vivo [3H] sertraline binding in the brain of rats 7 days after treatment with p-chloroamphetamine was consistent with the loss of serotonin uptake sites induced by this agent. The results of our study indicated that [3H] sertraline labels serotonin uptake sites in rat brain.

The results of the present study show that the down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors of rat brain, induced by subacute administration of sertraline, is facilitated when this selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor was co-administered with the serotonin releaser, norfenfluramine, or the serotonin terminal autoreceptor antagonist, methiothepin. The respective drug combination produced a reduction in Bmax of [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding to cortical membranes of treated rats at a dose of the releaser, release enhancer, or sertraline, which was ineffective when administered alone. In a similar manner, the 5-HT1A agonists, gepirone and 8-OH-DPAT, were found to facilitate the downregulation of beta-adrenoceptors induced by sertraline. The 5-HT1B agonist, 3-trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine, and the 5-HT2 antagonist, ritanserin, showed neither facilitation nor antagonism of sertraline, but the 5-HT3 antagonist, ondansetron, attenuated the decrease of Bmax of [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding elicited by sertraline. Agents that putatively increase the serotoninergic activity facilitated the down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors induced by sertraline, suggesting that the enhancement of serotonin transmission, expected of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor itself, may play a role in this effect of sertraline. Whether the downregulation of brain beta-adrenoceptors by sertraline plays any role in its antidepressant activity cannot be deduced from these experiments.

Ifenprodil (1) represents a new class of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist. This drug also possesses potent activity at several other brain receptors (most notably alpha 1 adrenergic receptors). We have prepared the enantiomers and diastereomers of ifenprodil along with a series of partial structures in order to explore the basic structure activity relations within this class of compounds. From this study, it is clear that alpha 1 adrenergic and NMDA receptor activities may be separated by selection of the threo relative stereochemistry. Examination of the optical isomers of threo-ifenprodil (2) reveals that no further improvement in receptor selectivity is gained from either antipode. Individual removal of most of the structural fragments from the ifenprodil molecule generally results in less active compounds although fluorinated derivative 9 with threo relative stereochemistry is somewhat more potent and substantially more selective for the NMDA receptor. Finally a minimum structure for activity in this series (14) has been identified. This stripped-down version of ifenprodil possesses nearly equivalent affinity for the NMDA receptor with no selectivity over alpha 1 adrenergic receptors.

A series of quinazolinediones and azaquinazolinediones is described which possess potent inhibitory activity toward the calcium-independent phosphodiesterase enzyme (CaIPDE). In vivo testing showed that this in vitro activity translates to animal models predictive of chronic diseases such as depression and inflammation. These results support the hypothesis that inhibition of CaIPDE may lead to useful activity in such chronic diseases.

Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors constitute a new class of psychotherapeutic agents that promote enhanced central serotonergic neurotransmission in animal studies. Sertraline, a member of this class, exhibits considerable potency and specificity in inhibiting serotonin neuronal reuptake in preclinical studies. Thus, it is likely to exert antidepressant activity without significant anticholinergic, cardiovascular, and sedative side effects. Other animal studies demonstrating decreases in food intake and body weight and reduction in voluntary alcohol consumption after sertraline administration suggest a potential for wider clinical application.

The preparation and testing of the two racemic diastereoisomers and the four optically active enantiomers of the title compound in in vitro and in vivo models for determining potential antipsychotic activity are described. Both racemic diastereoisomers and two of the four chiral enantiomers are potent and long-acting neuroleptic compounds.

Compounds derived from 4a,9b-trans-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4, 3-b]indole are consistently efficacious in displacing [3H]spiroperidol from striatal dopamine receptors in vitro. Derivatives bearing substituents at position 2, particularly those derived from butyrophenone moieties, are exceptionally potent in vivo. Compounds from the corresponding 4a,9b-cis series are substantially less potent in both in vivo and in vitro assays of neuroleptic activity. Although the cis and trans derivatives have, in some conformations, similar basic nitrogen atom to aromatic ring separations of about 5.1 A, the distance at which the basic nitrogen atom lies above or below the plane of the aromatic ring differs substantially between the two series. Consideration of these results in terms of this and earlier work indicates that the out-of-plane distance for the basic nitrogen in neuroleptic molecules may range from about 0 to about 0.90 A but may be optimized at about 0.55 A.

The need for drugs that lack the obtrusive and limiting side effects of the tricyclic antidepressants has prompted the search for agents with greatly enhanced selectivity for specific mechanisms believed to be essential for antidepressant efficacy. The potential role of derangements of 5-HT pathways in the etiology of depression has long been suspected and has given impetus to the development of newer compounds that accentuate inhibition of serotonin reuptake. This paper presents structure-activity relationships for a series of cis-1-amino-4-(substituted-aryl)tetralins, which are surprisingly potent and selective inhibitors of serotonin uptake in in vitro models. These compounds are pharmacologically distinct from corresponding members of the trans series, which also potently block uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. The activity in both cis and trans series is stereospecific, being restricted to the cis-(1S,4S) and the trans-(1R,4S) enantiomers.

A series of trans-8-fluoro-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2,3,4,4a,5, 9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indoles with various N-2 substituents has been prepared and tested for neuroleptic activity [( 3H]spiroperidol binding and amphetamine antagonism). Several members of this series showed exceptional in vivo potency, especially the hydantoin derivatives 27-30. Resolution into the enantiomers showed that neuroleptic activity is associated with the 4aS,9bS absolute configuration. These rigid neuroleptics have been correlated with other rigid neuroleptics [(+)-dexclamol, Ro 22-1319] and can serve to further define the topography of the dopamine receptor.

Pargylin und Pheniprazin vermindern stark die Dopa-Anreicherung (erhohte Dopamin-Synthesegeschwindigkeit) im corpus striatum der Ratte nach Trifluoperazin und Tetrabenazin. Dopamin-spezifische MAO-Hemmer konnten deshalb therapeutischen Wert haben in der Kontrolle von tardiver Dyskinesia, die moglicherweise durch erhohte Bildung und Umsatz von Dopamin unter dem Einfluss von anti-psychotischen Drogen hervorgerufen wird.

In an attempt to enhance the potency of the dopamine autoreceptor agonist 3-PPP, racemic cis-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-[(methylmercapto)methyl]-N-n-propylpiperidine has been prepared in a stereoselective synthesis. NMR studies of 3 show a diequatorial conformation for the 3- and 5-substituents, which gives compound 3 an intriguing overlap with the ergoline derivative pergolide. Pharmacological testing revealed that 3, which is a 5-(methylmercapto)methyl derivative of racemic 3-PPP does not show the anticipated potency increase as a dopamine autoreceptor agonist. In vitro (inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylation) 3 and 1 have similar potency, and the in vivo potency (inhibition of GBL accelerated dopamine synthesis) of 3 is inferior to that of 1.

Sertraline [1S,4S-N-methyl-4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine] was found to be a highly selective and potent competitive inhibitor of synaptosomal serotonin uptake. Sertraline also selectively reduced ex vivo uptake of serotonin and strongly antagonized the serotonin-depleting action of p-chloroamphetamine, indicating potent blockade of serotonin uptake in vivo. Acute and repeated dosing of sertraline decreased serotonin content of whole blood. Sertraline only weakly inhibited rat heart uptake of i.v. [3H]norepinephrine. In substantiation of selective blockade of serotonin uptake, sertraline potentiated various symptoms of 5-hydroxytryptophan but did not reverse reserpine-induced hypothermia. Sertraline was a very weak inhibitor of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to rat brain membranes in vitro and did not produce anticholinergic effects in mice in vivo. Sertraline was well tolerated in mice, rats and dogs, with no locomotor stimulant effects in rats or untoward cardiovascular effects in dogs. The major metabolite, N-demethylsertraline, was also a selective serotonin uptake blocker. Sertraline strongly reduced immobility of mice in the Porsolt swim test for antidepressants. After repeated dosing in rats, sertraline diminished the cyclic AMP response of limbic forebrain adenylate cyclase to norepinephrine, as well as the binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol to cortical membranes. It is proposed that selective blockade of serotonin reuptake can induce activation of norepinephrine neurons and subsequent down-regulation of norepinephrine receptors and that sertraline, a highly selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake, may be an efficacious antidepressant without anticholinergic or cardiovascular side-effects.

Several compounds of relatively rigid molecular structure have been found to exert strong blockade of monoamine uptake by synaptosomal preparations of rat corpus striatum (dopamine and serotonin) and hypothalamus (norepinephrine). These include CP-24,441 (1R, 4S-N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthylamine), EXP-561 (4-phenylbicyclo[2.2.2]octan-1-amine), nomifensine and nefopam. The well-defined molecular geometry of the potent inhibitor EXP-561 is a fundamental structural/conformational requirement for uptake blocking activity for the large family of phenylbutylamine- and phenoxypropylamine-related inhibitors. The tubular configuration of EXP-561 may be the most appropriate for blocking serotonin uptake. The requisite conformation for blocking dopamine uptake appears to be defined by the combination resulting from superimposition of the CP-24,441 and nomifensine structures. The conformation defined by the combination resulting from superimposition of the CP-24-441 and desipramine structures is apparently optimal for blocking norepinephrine uptake. The conformational requirements for diphenylpropylamine-related uptake blockers may be defined by the rigid compound CP-39,332 (N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-2-naphthylamine). The actual potency of any given inhibitor is probably modulated by additional structural and stereochemical factors.

Sertraline is a member of a new class of psychotherapeutic agents that selectively inhibit serotonin reuptake in the brain. Animal studies have demonstrated that inhibition of serotonin reuptake leads to enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission and indirectly results in a down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors. The preclinical pharmacology of sertraline predicts antidepressant activity without accompanying anticholinergic, cardiotonic, or sedative side effects. Recent laboratory and clinical observations pertaining to body weight and obsessive compulsive disorder suggest the possibility of broader clinical indications for selective serotonin reuptake blockers such as sertraline.

A series of 5-aryltetrahydro-gamma-carbolines was prepared by a novel N-arylation procedure and tested for neuroleptic activity in a rat antiamphetamine model. The systematic exploration of structural parameters leading to 8-fluoro-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-[4-hydroxy-4-(4-fluorophenyl)butyl]-2,3,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (CP-36,584, flutroline), a potent and long-acting neuroleptic compound, is described. These semirigid compounds provide a new, structurally distinct series with which to probe the conformational requirements for potent activity at the dopamine receptor.

Butyraldoxim, das in C57BL-Mausen bevorzugtes Alkoholtrinken vermindert, wurde im 2-Wahl-Vorzugsversuch in Wasser oder Saccharinlosung verabreicht und fuhrte zu keiner konditionierten Aversion. Das Ergebnis bestatigt die Hypothese, der Butyraldoxim-Effekt beruhe auf spezifisch metabolischer Wechselwirkung mit Alkohol.