Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the following general formula [I] or its salt. wherein R1 represents aryl or a heteroaromatic group. R2 represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, or phenyl. R3 and R4 independently represent hydrogen or alkyl or R3 and R4 taken together with the adjacent N atom represent a 5- through 7-membered cyclic amino group. A represents a single bond C2-10 alkylene. W represents O, S, or (CH2)n (where CH may be substituted by alkyl; n is an integer of 1 or 2). X, Y, and Z may be the same or different and each represents CH (which may be substituted by alkyl), or N. Provided, however, that the case in which X, Y, and Z concurrently represent CH is excluded. The compound of the invention has excellent neuronal death inhibitory activity and is useful as a therapeutic drug for cerebrovascular diseases.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the following general formula ?I! or its salt. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents aryl or a heteroaromatic group. R.sup.2 represents hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, or phenyl. R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently represent hydrogen or alkyl or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 taken together with the adjacent N atom represent a 5- through 7-membered cyclic amino group. A represents C.sub.2-10 alkylene. W represents O, S, or (CH).sub.n (where CH may be substituted by alkyl; n is an integer of 1 or 2). X, Y, and Z may be the same or different and each represents CH (which may be substituted by alkyl), or N. Provided, however, that the case in which X, Y, and Z concurrently represent CH is excluded. The compound of the invention has excellent neuronal death inhibitory activity and is useful as a therapeutic drug for cerebrovascular diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides an antidepressant composition which comprises, as an active ingredient, a pyroglutamide derivative of the general formula [I]: ##STR1## wherein Y is CH.sub.2 or N--R (in which R is an alkoxycarbonyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group or a morpholinocarbonylalkyl group), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.The compound of the invention is useful in the prevention or treatment of depressive state or depression.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a novel compound having serotonin antagonist activity.The invention is directed to an indolecarboxamide derivative of the following general formula [I] and a serotonin antagonist composition comprising the same derivative as an active ingredient. ##STR1## (wherein R.sup.1 is a lower alkyl and R.sup.2 is hydrogen, a halogen, a lower alkyl or a lower alkoxy.)The compound of the invention is effective as a gastrointestinal motor activity regulator, antimigraine, antipsychotic or antianxiety drug. The compound is also effective as a therapeutic drug for dementia or orthostatic hypotension.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel nootropic agent which is applicable to senile dementia, etc.As a nootropic agent, for example, TRH (Thyrotropin releasing hormone) is hitherto known but involves defects that TRH is rapidly decomposed in vivo and, in its nature, cannot be orally administered.The nootropic agent in accordance with the present invention comprises as a main ingredient the substance having the following chemical structure: ##STR1## wherein R represents a lower alkyl group. The effect on animals is remarkable and the toxicity is low. Therefore, the compounds of the present invention are expected to be utilized as drugs. When the society is considered to go toward advanced age, a great weight should be put on treatment of diseases in old age and medical significance of the present invention is extremely important.