Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 4-phenyl-4-[1H-imidazol-2-yl]-piperidine derivatives according to Formula (I) the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the tautomeric forms thereof and the N-oxide forms thereof. In particular are claimed compounds according to Formula (I) in which A=B is C?O or SO2, X is a covalent bond, R1 is alkyloxy, alkyloxyalkyl, Ar or NR9R10, wherein R9 and R10 each independently are hydrogen or Ar; or A=B and R1 together form a benzoxazolyl radical; p is zero, R3 is benzyl optionally substituted with hydroxy, alkyl or alkyloxycarbonyl and R4 and R5 each are hydrogen. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds according to the invention and their use in medicine, in particular as selective non-peptide ?-opioid agonists for use in the treatment of various pain conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of 4-phenyl-4-[1H-imidazol-2-yl]-piperidine derivatives according to Formula (I) the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the tautomeric forms thereof and the N-oxide forms thereof as selective non-peptide ?-opioid agonists for use in the prevention and/or treatment of various central nervous system disorders, in particular as selective antidepressant and anxiolytic non-peptide ?-opioid agonists. In particular are claimed compounds according to Formula (I) in which A=B is C?O or SO2, X is a covalent bond, R1 is allyloxy, alkyloxyalkyl, Ar or NR9R10, wherein R9 and R10 each independently are hydrogen or Ar; or A=B and R1 together form a benzoxazolyl radical; p is zero, R3 is benzyl optionally substituted with hydroxy, alkyl or alkyloxycarbonyl and R4 and R5 each are hydrogen.

Abstract: There is disclosed an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a human neurotrophic growth factor designated enovin and having the amino acid sequence illustrated in FIG. 1, 21, 23 or 24 or encoding a functional equivalent, derivative or bioprecursor of said growth factor. The growth factor preferably comprises the amino acid sequence from position 27 to 139 of the sequence illustrated in FIG. 1, or a functional equivalent, derivative or bioprecursor thereof. The nucleic acid molecule encoding enovin can be used to transform a host cell, tissue or organism by including it in an appropriate vector. The host cell, tissue or organism and the vector also form part of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent for reducing ischaemic damage to an organ, in particular to a heart and a brain, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said agent and the use of said agent for the treatment of ischaemic diseases to the heart and the brain. The agent comprises a substituted 4-phenyl-4-[1H-imidazol-2-yl]-piperidine derivative according to Formula (I) the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts thereof, the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, the tautomeric forms thereof, the N-oxide forms thereof and the prodrugs thereof. In particular are claimed the compounds according to Formula (I) in which A=B is C?O or SO2, X is a covalent bond, R1 is alkyloxy, alkyloxyalkyl, Ar or NR9R10, wherein R9 and R10 each independently are hydrogen or Ar; or A=B and R1 together form a benzoxazolyl radical; p is zero, R3 is benzyl optionally substituted with hydroxy, alkyl or alkyloxycarbonyl and R4 and R5 each are hydrogen.