Substitution of position 2 of the 4a,9b-trans-2,3,4,4a,5,9b-hexahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole nucleus with omega-carboxamidoalkyl substituents leads to compounds with exceedingly potent neuroleptic activity in in vitro and in vivo models. Although duration of activity is not as long as that of the analogous 4-hydroxy-4-(4-fluorophenyl)butyl derivatives reported previously, the absolute potency in vivo is greater. The ability of these compounds to bind with great affinity to dopamine (DA) receptors further defines the nature of the DA receptor auxiliary binding site as a hydrogen-bond donating site in addition to or instead of a lipophilic site as has been previously proposed.
Animals Antipsychotic Agents