Abstract: The L-carnitine ester with gamma-hydroxybutyric acid and its pharmacologically acceptable salts of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X.sup.- is the anion of a pharmacologically acceptable salt, e.g. chloride, bromide, orotate, acid aspartate, acid citrate, acid phosphate, acid fumarate, lactate, acid maleate, acid oxalate, acid sulfate and glucosephosphate are active in inhibiting neuronal degeneration (as it occurs in Alzheimer's senile dementia and Parkinson's disease) and in the treatment of coma.

Abstract: The esters of acyl L-carnitines with gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the form of pharmacologically acceptable salts of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X.sup.- is the anion of a pharmacologically acceptable salt, e.g. chloride, bromide, orotate, acid aspartate, acid citrate, acid phosphate, acid fumarate, lactate, acid maleate, acid oxalate, acid sulfate and glucosephosphate or in the form of inner salts of formula (I') ##STR2## wherein R is a straight or branched acyl group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, such as e.g. acetyl, propionyl, n-butyryl, isobutyryl and isovaleryl, are active in inhibiting neuronal degeneration (as it occurs in Alzheimer's senile dementia and Parkinson's disease) and in the treatment of coma.

Abstract: The esters of acyl L-carnitines with gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in the form of pharmacologically acceptable salts of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein X.sup.- is the anion of a pharmacologically acceptable salt, e.g. chloride, bromide, orotate, acid aspartate, acid citrate, acid phosphate, acid fumarate, lactate, acid maleate, acid oxalate, acid sulfate and glucosephosphate or in the form of inner salts of formula (I') ##STR2## wherein R is a straight or branched acyl group having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms, such as e.g. acetyl, propionyl, n,butyryl, isobutyryl and isovaleryl, are active in inhibiting neuronal degeneration (as it occurs in Alzheimer's senile dementia and Parkinson's disease) and in the treatment of coma.

Abstract: A process for producing aminocarnitine is described, wherein methanesulfonylcarnitine is converted to a lactone which is reacted with an azide to give azidocarnitine. The catalytic hydrogenation of azidocarnitine gives aminocarnitine.

Abstract: Esters of acyl L-carnitines of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is a straight or branched acyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, in particular isobutyryl and isovaleryl;n is an integer comprised between 7 and 15, particularly 10; and,X- is the anion of a pharmacologically acceptable acid are endowed with potent antimycotic activity particularly against yeast like fungi, such as Candida albicans, the aetiologic agent of candidiasis and against filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, the aetiologic agent of aspergillosis. Orally or parenterally administrable or topically applicable pharmaceutical compositions comprise an ester of formula (I) as active ingredient.

Abstract: Esters of acyl L-carnitines of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is a straight or branched acyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, in particular isobutyryl and isovaleryl;n is an integer comprised between 7 and 15, particularly 10; and,X.sup.- is the anion of a pharmacologically acceptable acid are endowed with potent antimycotic activity particularly against yeast like fungi, such as Candida albicans, the aetiologic agent of candidiasis and against filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, the aetiologic agent of aspergillosis.Orally or parenterally administrable or topically applicable pharmaceutical compositions comprise an ester of formula (I) as active ingredient.

Abstract: Esters of acyl L-carnitines of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is a straight or branched acyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, in particular isobutyryl and isovaleryl;n is an integer comprised between 7 and 15, particularly 10; and,X- is the anion of a pharmacologically acceptable acid are endowed with potent antibacterial activity.Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an ester of formula (I) can be utilized in human therapy and in the veterinary field.

Abstract: Esters of acyl L-carnitines of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is a straight or branched acyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, in particular isobutyryl and isovaleryl;n is an integer comprised between 7 and 15, particularly 10; and,X- is the anion of a pharmacologically acceptable acid are endowed with potent antibacterial activity. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising an ester of formula (I) can be utilized in human therapy and in the veterinary field.

Abstract: A Process for Preparing L-(-)-carnitine is disclosed which comprises acylating D-(+)-carnitinenitrile or D-(+)-carnitineamide to their respective acyl derivatives which, via acid hydrolysis, yield D-(+)-carnitine which is converted to the lactone of L-(-)-carnitine. The lactone when in base yields L-(-)-carnitine.

Abstract: Orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise from about 100 to about 500 mg of one of the compounds of formula (I). ##STR1## wherein R is selected from: 2-(N,N-diisopropyl)aminoethyl,2-aminoethyl,2-N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetyl aminoethyl,2-phenylethyl,benzyl,2-N-(pyroglutamylglycyl)aminoethyl,2-N-(pyroglutamyl)aminoethyl;Y is either a C--N single bond or the bivalent residue of an aminoacid selected from: ##STR2## are potent enhancers of the learning processes and memory.

Abstract: 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthlamines of formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R is H or OCH.sub.3 ; ##STR2## is either at 1 or 2 position R.sub.1 is H;R.sub.2 is selected from:L-prolyl, optionally N-substituted with acetyl or carbobenzoxy,L-pyroglutamyl,(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetyl,3-carboxy-2-hydroxypropyl:or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 taken together with the nitrogen atom form the ring ##STR3## wherein n=1,2,3 and R.sub.3 -H, OH are nootropic substances potent enhancers of learning processes and memory.Orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise between about 100 and about 500 mg of a compound of formula (1).

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions for enhancing the process of learning and memory are disclosed, that contain as active principle a 3-amino-.epsilon.-caprolactam of formula (1) ##STR1## Wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, formyl and acetyl.Orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise from about 100 to about 500 mg of a compound of formula (1).

Abstract: 1-alkyl-3-(acylamino)-.epsilon.-caprolactames of formula (1) ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of:pyrrolidin-2-one-1-acetyl,p-methoxybenzoyl,N-benzyloxycarbonyl-(S)-prolyl,phenylbutanoyl,3-trifluoromethylbenzoyl,3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl,nicotinoyl, andacyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, andR.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of:hydrogen,methoxycarbonylmethyl,aminocarbonylmethyl,2-hydroxyethyl, andformylmethyl,(provided that, if R.sub.1 is hydrogen, R is not formyl or acetyl) are potent enhancers of learning and memory.Orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise from about 100 to 500 mg of one of the compound of formula (1).

Abstract: 1-acyl-2-pyrrolidinones of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of: phenyl substituted with halogen-substituted lower (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyl;phenylalkyl wherein the alkyl moiety has 2-4 carbon atoms;phenylalkenyl wherein the alkenyl moiety has 2-4 carbon atoms and the phenyl moiety is substituted with halogen-substituted lower (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl;N-substituted pyrrolidin-2-yl; andpyrid-3-yl are potent enhancers of learning and memory.Orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise from about 100 to 500 mg of one of the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: (Pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetamides of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl, R.sub.1 is hydrogen, R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of:2-aminoethyl,2-(N,N-diisopropyl) aminoethyl,3-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) propyl,2-[N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetyl] aminoethyl,2-hydroxyethyl,(glycerophosphorylethanolamino) carbonylmethyl,1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonylmethyl chloride,(prolinol-1-yl) carbonylmethyl,1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyisopropyl), and3-pyridylcarbamide;or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 taken together, are such as to form a cycle of formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl substituted with halogens or halogen-substituted lower (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) alkyls and 4-morpholinocarbonylmethyl are potent enhancers of learning and memory.Orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise from about 100 to 500 mg of one of the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: N-alkyl derivatives of 2-amino-6,7-dimethoxy tetraline having general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is selected from hydrogen, ethyl, n-propyl and methyl cyclopropyl;R.sub.1 is selected from hydrogen, hydroxy and --OR.sub.3 wherein R.sub.3 is selected from methyl, ethyl and n-propyl; andR.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, hydroxy, trifluoromethyl, fluoro and methoxy,are endowed with potent antihypertensive activity.

Abstract: A process for the production of R(+)-aminocarnitine and S(-)-aminocarnitine is disclosed by resolution of the mixture of the diastereoisomers of N-(alpha-methylbenzyl) aminocarnitine benzyl ester chloride, wherein the separated diastereoisomers are subsequently debenzylated to give R(+)-aminocarnitine chloride and S(-)-aminocarnitine chloride.

Abstract: L-aminoacyl derivatives of L-carnitine of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl radical selected from 1-methyl-propyl, isobutyl, isopropyl, mercaptomethyl and 3-guanidino propyl, and their pharmacologically acceptable salts, are prepared e.g. by reacting a solution in an organic solvent of L-carnitine whose carboxyl group is protected with an N-protected aminoacid in the presence of a condensing agent and then removing the amino-acid and carnitine protecting groups, thus obtaining the desired compound.

Abstract: L-aminoacyl derivatives of L-carnitine of general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl radical selected from 1-methyl-propyl, isobutyl, isopropyl, mercaptomethyl and 3-guanidino propyl, and their pharmacologically acceptable salts, are prepared e.g. by reacting a solution in an organic solvent of L-carnitine whose carboxyl group is protected with an N-protected aminoacid in the presence of a condensing agent and then removing the aminoacid and carnitine protecting groups, thus obtaining the desired compound.

Abstract: Gamma-butyrobetaine is prepared via a process whose characterizing step comprises hydrogenating crotonoylbetaine chloride to gamma-butyrobetaine chloride is a strongly acidic environment (pH 1-4), at 15-60 psi (1.05-4.21 kg/cm.sup.2) in the presence of 10% Pd/C or PtO.sub.2 as hydrogenation catalyst.