Abstract: Dopamine D3 receptor antagonists and partial agonists are known to modulate the reinforcing and drug-seeking effects induced by cocaine and other abused substances. By introducing functionality into the butylamide linking chain of the 4-phenylpiperazine class of ligands, improved D3 receptor affinity and selectivity, as well as water solubility, is achieved. A series of linking-chain derivatives are disclosed wherein functionality such as OH or OAc groups have been introduced into the linking chain. In general, these modifications are well tolerated at D3 receptors and achieve high selectivity over D2 and D4 receptors.

Abstract: Disclosed are benztropinamine analogs having the formula I (I) in which E is NR1, S, or CH2; B is NR4, O, or CH2; m=1 to 5; n=1 to 3; Ar is a C5-C20 monocyclic aryl group or a C10-C20 bicyclic aryl group or a heteroaryl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, and any combination thereof; and bond “a” can be of ?, ?, or ?/? configuration, wherein R1 to R5 are as described in the specification; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; pharmaceutical compositions and use thereof, e.g., in treating mental disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed are benztropine analogs having the formula (I) in which Ar is a C6-C20 monocyclic aryl group or a C10-C20>bicyclic aryl group or a heteroaryl, heterocyclic, or arylheterocyclic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, P, and any combination thereof; m=1 to 5; n=1 to 3; and R1 to R4 are as described in the specification; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; pharmaceutical compositions and use thereof, e.g., in treating mental disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of tropane analogs. More particularly, the present invention provides a family of 4' and 4',4"-substituted-3.alpha.-(diphenylmethoxy)tropane analogs having the formula ##STR1## in which R is a functional group including, but not limited to, hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, arylalkyl, aryloxyalkyl, cinnamyl and acyl; and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected and are functional groups including, but not limited to, hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, halogen, cyano, amino and nitro. The benztropine analogs of the present invention have a high affinity for the dopamine transporter and inhibit dopamine uptake, but they do not exhibit a cocaine-like behavioral profile. Moreover, the present invention provides methods of using such benztropine analogs to treat cocaine abuse, to image dopamine transporter/cocaine binding sites, and to diagnose and/or monitor neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease).