Use of CRF antagonists and related compositions

Abstract

A corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonist is administered to treat a condition selected from the group consisting of:

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the use of CRF antagonists in the treatment of certain conditions, and related compositions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] CRF antagonists are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,605,642 (Issued Aug. 12, 1986) and 5,063,245 (issued Nov. 5, 1991). They are also disclosed in International patent publications WO 95/33750 (published Dec. 14, 1995); WO 95/34563 (published Dec. 21, 1995); WO 94/13676 (published Jun. 23, 1994); WO 94/13677 (published Jun. 23, 1994); WO 95/33727 (published Dec. 14, 1995); WO 98/05661 (published Feb. 12, 1998); WO 98/08847 (published Mar. 5, 1998); and WO 98/08846 (published Mar. 5, 1998) and European patent publications EP 778277 (published Jun. 11, 1997) and EP 773023 (published May 14, 1997). CRF antagonists are also disclosed in the following patent publications: EP 576350; WO 95/10506 (published Apr. 20, 1995); WO 96/35689 (published Nov. 14, 1996); WO 96/39400 (published Dec.12, 1996); WO 97/00868 (published Jan. 9, 1997); WO 97/14684 (published Apr. 24, 1997); WO 97/29109 (published Aug. 14, 1997); WO 97/29110 (published Aug. 14, 1997); WO 97/35580 (published Oct. 2, 1997); WO 97/35846 (published Oct. 2, 1997); WO 97/44038 (published Nov. 27, 1997); WO 98/03510 (published Jan. 29, 1998); WO 98/08821 (published Mar. 5, 1998); WO 98/11075 (published Mar. 19, 1998); WO 98/15543 (published Apr. 16, 1998); WO 98/21200 (published May 22, 1998); WO 98/27066 (published Jun. 25, 1998); WO 98/29397 (published Jul. 9, 1998); WO 98/29413 (published Jul. 9, 1998); WO 98/42699 (published Oct. 1, 1998); WO 98/35967 (published Aug. 20, 1998); WO 98/45295 (published Oct. 15, 1998); WO 98/47874 (published Oct. 29, 1998); WO 98/47903 (published Oct. 29, 1998); WO 99/01454 (published Jan. 14, 1999); WO 99/01439 (published Jan. 14, 1999); WO 99/10350 (published Mar.4, 1999); WO 99/12908 (published Mar. 18, 1999); WO 99/00373 (published Jan. 7, 1999); and WO 99/38868 (published Aug. 5, 1999).

[0003] The importance of CRF antagonists is set out in the literature, e.g., P. Black, Scientific American SCIENCE & MEDICINE,1995, p. 16-25; T. Lovenberg, et al., Current Pharmaceutical Design, 1995, 1: 305-316; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,245. An outline of the activities possessed by CRF antagonists is found in M. J. Owens et al., 1991, Pharm. Rev., 43:425-473. CRF antagonists are described in the art as being effective in the treatment of stress-related illnesses, mood disorders such as depression, major depressive disorder, single episode depression, recurrent depression, child abuse induced depression, postpartum depression, dysthemia, bipolar disorders, and cyclothymia; chronic fatigue syndrome; eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa; generalized anxiety disorder; panic disorder; phobias; obsessive-compulsive disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder; pain perception such as fibromyalgia; headache; gastrointestinal diseases; hemorrhagic stress; ulcers; stress-induced psychotic episodes; fever; diarrhea; post-operative ileus; colonic hypersensitivity; irritable bowel syndrome; Crohn's disease; spastic colon; inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis; pain; asthma; psoriasis; allergies; osteoporosis; premature birth; hypertension, congestive heart failure; sleep disorders; neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type, multiinfarct dementia, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease; head trauma; ischemic neuronal damage; excitotoxic neuronal damage; epilepsy; stroke; spinal cord trauma; psychosocial dwarfism; euthyroid sick syndrome; syndrome of inappropriate antidiarrhetic hormone; obesity; chemical dependencies and addictions; drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms; infertility; cancer; muscular spasms; urinary incontinence; hypoglycemia and immune dysfunctions including stress induced immune dysfunctions, immune suppression and human immunodeficiency virus infections; and stress-induced infections in humans and animals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a method of treating a condition comprising administering a corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonist in an amount effective to treat the condition, the condition being selected from the group consisting of:

[0005] a) disorders that can be treated by altering circadian rhythm; and

[0006] b) depression, further wherein a second compound for treating depression is administered, the second compound for treating depression having an onset of action that is delayed with respect to that of the CRF antagonist.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease that involves administering a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound for treating the disease. The invention also relates to treatment of migraine or non-migraine headache by administration of a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound that treats such condition and to treatment of emesis using a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound for treating emesis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] All patents, patent publications, and literature references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides for treatment of disorders that can be treated by altering circadian rhythm, e.g., abnormal circadian rhythm, by administration of a CRF antagonist. Abnormal circadian rhythm treated according to the invention can be associated with several types of disorders, including, without limitation, time zone change syndrome, seasonal affective disorder, irregular sleep-wake pattern, delayed sleep phase syndrome, advanced sleep phase syndrome, non-24 hour sleep wake disorder, light-induced clock resetting, REM sleep disorder, hypersomnia, parasomnia, narcolepsy, nocturnal enuresis, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, dysthymia, and abnormal circadian rhythm associated with chronic administration and withdrawal of antidepressant agents.

[0010] If desired, a second compound, e.g., a non-CRF antagonist that is useful for treating sleep disorder, can be administered before, with, or after, administration of the CRF antagonist. Any such second compound useful for treating sleep disorder may be employed, including but not limited to tachykinin antagonists, melatoninergic agonists, such as melatonin, GABA brain receptor agonists, serotonin receptor (such as 5HT1b, 5HT2c, 5HT7) antagonists, inverse agonists, agonists and other compounds. Specific compounds for treatment of sleep disorder include melatonin, carpipramine, and doxylamine. These and other compounds are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,908,932; 5,902,813; 5,883,094; 5,874,450; 5,849,781; 5,856,529; and 4,956,362.

[0011] It is intended that reference to particular compounds herein be interpreted to mean that the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs of those compounds, may also be employed. Such reference is also intended to be interpreted that modified CRF antagonists may also be employed. For example, the invention encompasses use of a CRF antagonist linked to a non-CRF antagonist to form a prodrug which hydrolyzes upon administration to form active components.

[0012] The invention also encompasses treatment of depression with a CRF antagonist and with a second compound having delayed action for treating depression. According to this aspect of the invention, the CRF antagonist initiates treatment of the depression with a quick-acting effect, which treatment is supplemented by the delayed effect of the second compound.

[0013] Compounds for treating depression that have a delayed effect include, without limitation, compounds that are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, lithium, &agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonists, 5HT1A inhibitors, and monoamine oxidase type A inhibitors. Examples include bupropion, sertraline, fluoxetine, trazodone, citalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, roboxetine, imipramine, amitriptyline, trimipramine, doxepin, desipramine, nortriptyline, protriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine, maprotiline, brofaromine, milnacipran, and buspirone. It understood by those skilled in this art that compounds administered for treatment of depression may have other beneficial effects, such as ameliorating sleep disturbance or sexual dysfunction. Compounds having a delayed effect for treating depression also include the combination of an SSRI and 5HT2 antagonist (such as risperidone) administered, for example, to patients who do not respond to SSRI therapy alone. Administration of these delayed-action compounds for treating depression is carried out using well-known dosages and formulations.

[0014] Any CRF antagonist can be used to practice the invention, including those that are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,605,642 and 5,063,245; International patent publications WO 95/33750; WO 95/34563; WO 94/13676; W094/13677; WO 95/33727; WO 98/05661; WO 98/08847; and WO 98/08846; and European patent publications EP 778277; and EP 773023. They also include those of the following patent publications: EP 576350; WO 95/10506; WO 96/35689; WO 96/39400; WO 97/00868; WO 97/14684; WO 97/29109; WO 97/29110; WO 97/35580; WO 97/35846; WO 97/44038; WO 98/03510; WO 98/08821; WO 98/11075; WO 98/15543; WO 98/21200; WO 98/27066; WO 98/29397; WO 98/29413; WO 98/42699; WO 98/35967; WO 98/45295; WO 98/47874, WO 98/47903, WO 99/01454, WO 99/01439, WO 99/10350; WO 99/12908; WO 99/00373, and WO 99/38868. As noted above, the texts of all of these publications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

[0015] Following are listed particular examples of CRF antagonists that may be used in practicing the invention. It is understood that in the generic formulae employed below, the variables employed, e.g., “A”, “B”, “R1”, “R2”, etc. have the meanings attributed to them only in the particular Roman numeral section in which they are found. Thus, the meaning attributed, for example, to “R1” is different for the structures in section I and the structures of the other sections.

[0016] I. For example, the CRF antagonist may be of the following formula, described in WO 94/13677: 1

[0017] and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, wherein

[0018] A is NR1R2, CR1R2R11, or C(═CR1R12)R2, NHCR1R2R11, OCR1R2R11, SCR1R2R11, NHNR1R2, CR2R11NHR1, CR2R11OR1, CR2R11SR1 or C(O)R2;

[0019] R1 is hydrogen, or C1-C6 alkyl which may be substituted by one or two substituents R6 independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, O—C(O)-(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C(O)—N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl); amino, NH(C1-C4 alkyl, S(C1-C6 alkyl), OC(O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C2 alkyl)C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), NHC(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), COOH, CO(C1-C4 alkyl), C(O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), C(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SH, CN, NO2, SO(C1-C4 alkyl); SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), and said C1-C6 alkyl may have one or two double or triple bonds;

[0020] R2 is C1-C12 alkyl, aryl or (C1-C10 alkylene)aryl wherein said aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinolyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, azaindolyl, oxazolyl, or benzoxazolyi; 3- to 8-membered cycloalkyl or (C1-C6 alkylene) cycloalkyl, wherein said cycloalkyl may have one or two of O, S or N—Z, wherein Z is hydrogen, substituted, independently, for one or two carbons of said cycloalkyl, C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl or C1-C4 alkanoyl, wherein R2 may be substituted independently by from one to three of chloro, fluoro, or C1-C4 alkyl, or one of hydroxy, bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, OC(O)(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C—N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), S(C1-C6 alkyl), NH2, NH(C1-C2 alkyl), N(C1-C4 alkyl) C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), NHC(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), COOH, C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), C(O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), C(O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SH, CN, NO2, SO(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), and wherein said C1-C12 alkyl or C1-C10 alkylene may have one to three double or triple bonds; or

[0021] NR1R2 or CR1R2R11 may form a 4- to 8-membered ring optionally having one or two double bonds or one or two of O, S or N—Z wherein Z is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl, or C1-C4 alkanoyl;

[0022] R3 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxy, amino, O(C1-C6 alkyl), NH(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SH, S(C1-C4 alkyl), SO(C1-C4 alkyl), or SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), wherein said C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl may have one or two double or triple bonds and may be substituted by from 1 to 3 R7 substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, amino, C1-C3 alkoxy, dimethylamino, diethylamino, methylamino, ethylamino, NHC(O)CH3, fluoro, chloro or C1-C3 thioalkyl;

[0023] R4 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, NH(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C6 alkyl) (C1-C2 alkyl), SOn(C1-C6 alkyl), wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, cyano, hydroxy, carboxy, or amido, wherein said C1-C6 alkyls may be substituted by one to three of hydroxy, amino, carboxy, amido, NHC(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), C1-C3 alkoxy, C1-C3 thioalkyl, fluoro, bromo, chloro, iodo, cyano or nitro;

[0024] R5 is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinolyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzoisothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridyl benzoxazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, or tetrazolyl, wherein each one of the above groups may be substituted independently by from one to three of fluoro, chloro, bromo, formyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or trifluoromethyl, or one of hydroxy, iodo, cyano, nitro, amino, cyclopropyl, NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), COO(C1-C4 alkyl), CO(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SO2NH2, NHSO2(C1C4 alkyl), S(C1-C6 alkyl), SO2(C1-C6 alkyl), wherein said C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl may have one double or triple bond and may be substituted by one or two of fluoro, chloro, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino or acetyl; with the proviso that R5 is not unsubstituted phenyl;

[0025] R11 is hydrogen, hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, COO(C1-C2 alkyl), cyano, or CO(C1-C2 alkyl); and

[0026] R12 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0027] (a) A is not straight chain C1-C12 alkyl;

[0028] (b) when R3 is hydrogen, A is benzyl or phenethyl, and R4 is fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, then R5 is not 5′-deoxy-ribofuranosyl or 5′-amino-5′-deoxy-ribofuranosyl; and

[0029] (c) when R5 is phenyl, said phenyl is substituted by two or three substituents.

[0030] II. The invention also relates to use of a CRF antagonist of the following formula, described in WO 94113676: 2

[0031] and the acid addition salts thereof, wherein

[0032] B is XA wherein X is (CH2)n in which n is 0, 1 or 2, NH, O, S, N(C1-C4 alkyl);

[0033] A is NR1R2, CR1R2R11, or C(═CR2R12)R1;

[0034] R1 is hydrogen, or C1-C6 alkyl which may be substituted by one or two substituents R7 independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C8 alkoxy, O—C(=O)-(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C(═O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), O—C(═O)—N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), amino, NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), S(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C4alkyl)C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), NH(C1-C4 alkyl), COOH, C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), C(═O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), C(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SH, CN, NO2, SO(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), and said C1-C6 alkyl may contain one or two double or triple bonds;

[0035] R2 is C1-C12 alkyl, aryl or (C1-C10 alkylene)aryl wherein said aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, oxazolyl, or benzoxazolyl; 3-8-membered cycloalkyl or (C1-C6 alkylene) cycloalkyl, wherein said cycloalkyl may contain one or two of O, S or N—Z wherein Z is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl or C1-C4 alkanoyl, wherein R2 may be substituted independently by from one to three of chloro, fluoro, or C1-C4 alkyl, or one of hydroxy, bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, O—C(═O)-(C1-C6 alkyl), O—C—N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), S(C1-C6 alkyl), NH2, NH(C1-C2 alkyl), N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C4)-C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), NHC(═O)(C1-C4), COOH, C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), C(═O)NH(C1-C4 alkyl), C(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SH, CN, NO2, SO(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), and wherein said C1-C12 alkyl or C1-C10 alkyl may contain one to three double or triple bonds; or

[0036] when A is NR1R2 or CR1R2R11, then R1 and R2 taken together with the atom to which they are attached may form a saturated 4- to 8-membered optionally containing one or two double bonds or one or two of O, S or N—Z wherein Z is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, or C1-C4 alkanoyl;

[0037] R3 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxy, amino, O(C1-C6 alkyl), NH(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SH, S(C1-C4 alkyl), SO(C1-C4 alkyl), or SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), wherein said C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl may contain from one or two double or triple bonds and may be substituted by from 1 to 3 substituents R8 independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, amino, C1-C3 alkoxy, dimethylamino, diethylamino, methylamino, ethylamino, NHCH3, fluoro, chloro or C1-C3 thioalkyl;

[0038] R4 and R6 are each independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, NH(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C6 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SOn(C1-C6 alkyl), wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, cyano, hydroxy, carboxy, or amido, wherein said C1-C6 alkyls may be substituted by one to three of hydroxy, amino, carboxy, amido, NHC(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), C1-C3 alkoxy, C1-C3 thioalkyl, fluoro, bromo, chloro, iodo, cyano or nitro;

[0039] R5 is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, azaindolyl, benzoxazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrrolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, morpholinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, tetrazolyl, or 3- to 8-membered cycloalkyl or 9- to 12-membered bicycloalkyl, optionally containing one to three of O, S or N—Z wherein Z is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkanoyl, phenyl or phenylmethyl, wherein each one of the above groups may be substituted independently by from one to four of fluoro, chloro, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy or trifluoromethyl, or one of bromo, iodo, cyano, nitro, amino, NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C4)(C1-C2 alkyl), COO(C1-C4 alkyl), CO(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SO2NH2, NHSO2(C1-C4 alkyl), S(C1-C6 alkyl), SO2(C1-C6 alkyl), wherein said C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl may be substituted by one or two of fluoro, chloro, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino or acetyl; with the proviso that R5 is not unsubstituted phenyl;

[0040] R11 is hydrogen, hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, COO(C1-C2 alkyl), cyano, or CO(C1-C2 alkyl); and

[0041] R12 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; with the proviso that (1) when R5 is 4-bromophenyl, R3 is hydrogen, and R4 and R6 are methyl, then B is not methylamino or ethyl, and (2) when R5 is 4-bromophenyl, and R3, R4 and R6 are methyl, then B is not 2-hydroxyethylamino.

[0042] Ill. It is also possible to employ a CRF antagonist that has a structure selected from the group shown below, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, as described in WO 95/33750: 3

[0043] wherein

[0044] A is CR7 or N;

[0045] B is NR1R2, CR1R2R11, C(═CR2R12)R1, NHCHR1R2, OCHR1R2, SCHR1R2, CHR2OR12, CHR2SR12, C(S)R2 or C(O)R2;

[0046] Y is CH or N;

[0047] Z is NH, O, S, N (C1-C2 alkyl), or CR13R14, wherein R13 and R14 are each independently hydrogen, trifluoromethyl, or C1-C4 alkyl, or one of R13 and R14 may be cyano, chloro, bromo, iodo, fluoro, hydroxy, O(C1-C2 alkyl), amino, NH(C1-C2 alkyl), or CR13R14 may be C═O or cyclopropyl;

[0048] R1 is C1-C6 alkyl which may be substituted by one or two substituents R8 independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C4 alkoxy, O—CO-(C1-C4 alkyl), O—CO—NH(C1-C4 alkyl), O—CO—N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), S(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C4alkyl)CO(C1-C4 alkyl), NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), COO(C1-C4 alkyl), CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), S(C1-C4 alkyl), CN, NO2, SO(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), and said C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C4 alkyl may contain one double or triple bond;

[0049] R2 is C1-C12 alkyl, aryl or (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl wherein said aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indolyl, or benzoxazolyl; 3- to 8-membered cycloalkyl or (C1-C6 alkylene)cycloalkyl, wherein said cycloalkyl may contain one or two of O, S or N—R9 wherein R9 is hydrogen, or C1-C4 alkyl, wherein the above defined R2 may be substituted independently by from one to three of chloro, fluoro, or C1-C4 alkyl, or one of bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, O—CO-(C1-C6 alkyl), O—CO—N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), S(C1-C6 alkyl), CN, NO2, SO(C1-C4 alkyl), or SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), an wherein said C1-C12 alkyl or C1-C4 alkylene may contain one double or triple bond; or

[0050] NR1R2 or CR1R2R11 may form a saturated 5- to 8-membered carbocyclic ring which may contain one or two double bonds or one or two of O or S;

[0051] R3 is methyl, ethyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, methoxy, OCF3, methylthio, methylsulfonyl, CH2OH or CH2OCH3;

[0052] R4 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C4 alkoxy, amino, nitro, NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SOn(C1-C4 alkyl), wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, cyano, hydroxy, CO(C1-C4 alkyl), CHO, or COO(C1-C4 alkyl), wherein said C1-C4 alkyl may contain one or two double or triple bonds and may be substituted by one or two of hydroxy, amino, carboxy, NHCOCH3, NH(C1-C2 alkyl), N(C1-C2 alkyl)2, COO(C1-C4 alkyl), CO(C1-C4 alkyl), C1-C3 alkoxy, C1-C3 thioalkyl, fluoro, chloro, cyano or nitro;

[0053] R5 is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, or indolyl, wherein each one of the above groups R5 is substituted independently by from one to three of fluoro, chloro, C1-C6 alkyl, or C1-C6 alkoxy, or one of hydroxy, iodo, bromo, formyl, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, amino, NH(C1-C4 alkyl), N(C1-C6)(C1-C2 alkyl), COOH, COO(C1-C4 alkyl), CO(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), SO2NH2, NHSO2(C1-C4 alkyl), S(C1-C6 alkyl), or SO2(C1-C6 alkyl), wherein said C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl may be substituted by one or two of fluoro, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino or acetyl;

[0054] R6 is hydrogen, or C1-C6 alkyl, wherein said C1-C6 alkyl may be substituted by one hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy or fluoro;

[0055] R7 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, cyano, hydroxy, O(C1-C4 alkyl), C(O)(C1-C4 alkyl), or C(O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), wherein the C1-C4 alkyl groups may be substituted with one hydroxy, chloro or bromo, or one to three fluoro;

[0056] R11 is hydrogen, hydroxy, fluoro, or methoxy;

[0057] R12 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; and

[0058] R16 and R17 are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, or ethoxy, except that they are not both methoxy or ethoxy, and CR4Rb 6 and CR16R17 each independently may be C═O.

[0059] IV. It also possible to employ a CRF antagonist of the following formula, disclosed in WO 95/34563: 4

[0060] and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, wherein

[0061] A is N or —CR6;

[0062] B is —NR1R2, —CR1R2R11, —C(═CR2R12)R1, —NHCHR1R2, —OCHR1R2, —SCHR1R2, —CHR2OR12, —CHR2SR12, —C(S)R1 or —C(O)R1;

[0063] R1 is C1-C6 alkyl which may optionally be substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C4 alkoxy, —O—CO-(C1-C4 alkyl), —O—CO—NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —O—CO—N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C4alkyl)CO(C1-C4 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), CN, NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), and wherein any of the foregoing C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl groups may optionally contain one carbon-carbon double or triple bond;

[0064] R2 is C1-C12 alkyl, aryl, -(C1-C4 alkylene)aryl wherein said aryl is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, triazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, oxazolyl, or benzoxazolyl; or 3- to 8-membered cycloalkyl or -(C1-C6 alkylene)cycloalkyl, wherein one or two of the ring carbons of said cycloalkyl having at least 4 ring members and the cycloalkyl moiety of said -(C1-C6 alkylene)cycloalkyl having at least 4 ring members may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by N—Z wherein Z is hydrogen; or C1-C4 alkyl, and wherein each of said groups R2 may optionally be substituted with from one to three substituents independently selected from chloro, fluoro, and C1-C4 alkyl, or by one substituent selected from bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, —O—CO-(C1-C6 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl), —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), CN, NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), and —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), and wherein said C1-C12 alkyl and the C1-C4 alkylene moiety of said -(C1-C4 alkylene)aryl may optionally contain one carbon-carbon double or triple bond;

[0065] or —NR1R2 may form a saturated 5- to 8-membered heterocyclic ring, or —CHR1R2 may form a saturated 5- to 8-membered carbocyclic ring, wherein each of these rings may optionally contain one or two carbon-carbon double bonds and wherein one or two of the carbon atoms of each of these rings may optionally be replaced with a sulfur or oxygen atom;

[0066] R3 is C1-C4 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —CH2OH, —CH2OCH3, —O(C1-C3 alkyl), —S(C1-C3 alkyl), or —SO2(C1-C3 alkyl), wherein said C1-C3 alkyl may optionally contain one carbon-carbon double or triple bond;

[0067] R4 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C4 alkoxy, amino, —NHCH3, —N(CH3)2, —CH2OH, —CH2OCH3, or —SOn(C1-C4 alkyl), wherein n is 0, 1 or 2, cyano, hydroxy, —CO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CHO, or —COO(C1-C4 alkyl) wherein the C1-C4 alkyl moieties in the foregoing R4 groups may optionally contain one carbon-carbon double or triple bond;

[0068] R5 is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, benzofuranyl, pyrazinyl or benzothiazolyl, wherein each one of said groups R5 may optionally be substituted with from one to three substituents independently selected from fluoro, chloro, C1-C6 alkyl and C1-C6 alkoxy, or by one substituent selected from iodo, hydroxy, bromo, formyl, cyano, nitro, amino, trifluoromethyl, —NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C6)(C1-C2 alkyl), —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —SO2NH2, —NHSO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl) and —SO2(C1-C6 alkyl), wherein each of said C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl moieties in the foregoing R5 groups may optionally be substituted with one to three fluorine atoms;

[0069] R6 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —CH2OH, —CH2OCH3, or C1-C4 alkoxy;

[0070] R7 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), cyano, —CH2OH, —CH2O(C1-C2 alkyl), —CO(C1-C2 alkyl), or —COO(C1-C2 alkyl);

[0071] R11 is hydrogen, hydroxy, fluoro, or methoxy; and

[0072] R12 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0073] with the proviso that when A is N, then: (a) B is not unsubstituted alkyl; (b) R5 is not unsubstituted phenyl or monosubstituted phenyl; and (c) R3 is not unsubstituted alkyl;

[0074] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such compound.

[0075] V. In another embodiment, the CRF antagonist is of the following formula, disclosed in EP 778277: 5

[0076] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

[0077] the dashed lines represent optional double bonds;

[0078] A is nitrogen or CR7;

[0079] B is —NR1R2, —CR1R2R10, —C(═CR2R11)R1, —NHCR1R2R10, —OCR1R2R10, —SCR1R2R10, —CR2R10NHR1, —CR2R10OR1, —CR2R10SR1 or —COR2;

[0080] D is nitrogen and is single bonded to all atoms to which it is attached, or D is carbon and is either double bonded to E in formulas I and II or double bonded to the adjacent carbon atom common to both fused rings in formula III, or D is CH and is single bonded to E in formulas I and II;

[0081] E is nitrogen, CH or carbon;

[0082] F is oxygen, sulfur, CHR4 or NR4 when it is single bonded to E and F is nitrogen or CR4 when it is double bonded to E;

[0083] G, when single bonded to E, is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —O(C1-C4 alkyl), NH2, —NH(C1-C4 alkyl) or —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl groups of G may optionally be substituted with one hydroxy, —O(C1-C2 alkyl) or fluoro group; G, when double bonded to E, is oxygen, sulfur or NH; and G, when E is nitrogen and double bonded to D or F, is absent;

[0084] R1 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents R8 independently selected from hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C4 alkoxy, CF3, —C(═O)O-(C1 -C4)alkyl, —OC(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —OC(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —CN, —NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl) and —SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl groups in the foregoing R1 groups may optionally contain one or two double or triple bonds;

[0085] R2 is C1-C12 alkyl which may optionally contain from one to three double or triple bonds, aryl or (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl, wherein said aryl and the aryl moiety of said (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl is selected from phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, oxazolyl and benzoxazolyl; C3-C8 cycloalkyl or (C3-C6 alkylene)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl), wherein one or two of the carbon atoms of said cycloalkyl and the 5 to 8 membered cycloalkyl moieties of said (C1-C6 alkylene)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl) may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by NZ2 wherein Z2 is selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl and C1-C4 alkanoyl, and wherein each of the foregoing R2 groups may optionally be substituted with from one to three substituents independently selected from chloro, fluoro, hydroxy and C1-C4 alkyl, or with one substituent selected from bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, —OC(═O)(C1-C6 alkyl), —OC(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl), amino, —NH(C1-C2 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C4 alkyl)-CO-(C1-C4 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —SH, —CN, —NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl) and —SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl);

[0086] —NR1R2 or CR1R2R10 may form a saturated 3 to 8 membered carbocyclic ring which may optionally contain from one to three double bonds and wherein one or two of the ring carbon atoms of such 5 to 8 membered rings may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by NZ3 wherein Z3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl or C1-C4 alkanoyl;

[0087] R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, —CN, —S(C1-C4 alkyl) or —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl) wherein each of the (C1-C4 alkyl) moieties in the foregoing R3 groups may optionally be substituted with one substituent R9 selected from hydroxy, fluoro and (C1-C2 alkoxy);

[0088] each R4 is, independently, hydrogen, (C1-C6 alkyl), fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxy, cyano, amino, nitro, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4)alkyl, —CO(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)H or —C(═O)O(C1-C4alkyl), wherein each of the (C1-C6 alkyl) and (C1-C4 alkyl) moieties in the foregoing R4 groups may optionally contain one or two double or triple bonds and may optionally be substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, amino, C1-C3 alkoxy, dimethylamino, methylamino, ethylamino, —NHC(═O)CH3, fluoro, chloro, C1-C3 thioalkyl, —CN, —COOH, —C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl) and —NO2;

[0089] R5 is phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzimidazolyl, indolyl, benzoxazolyl or C3-C8 cycloalkyl wherein one or two of the carbon atoms of said cycloalkyl rings that contain at least 5 ring members may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by NZ4 wherein Z4 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or benzyl; and wherein each of the foregoing R5 groups is substituted with from one to four substituents R12 wherein one to three of said substituents may be selected, independently, from chloro, C1-C6 alkyl and —O(C1-C6 alkyl) and one of said substituents may be selected from bromo, iodo, formyl, —CN, —CF3, —NO2, —NH2, —NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C6 alkyl), —C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH2, —NHSO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl) and —SO2(C1-C6 alkyl), and wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl moieties in the foregoing R5 groups may optionally be substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from fluoro, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and acetyl;

[0090] R7 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, halo, cyano, hydroxy, —O(C1-C4 alkyl) —C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)O(C1-C4alkyl), —OCF3, —CF3, —CH2OH, —CH2O(C1-C4 alkyl);

[0091] R10 is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy or fluoro;

[0092] R11 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; and

[0093] Z is NH, oxygen, sulfur, —N(C1-C4 alkyl), —NC(═O)(C1-C2 alkyl), NC(═O)O(C1-C2alkyl) or CR13R14 wherein R13 and R14 are independently selected from hydrogen, trifluoromethyl and methyl with the exception that one of R13 and R14can be cyano;

[0094] with the proviso that: (a) in the five membered rings of structures I, II and III, there can not be two double bonds adjacent to each other; and (b) when R4 is attached to nitrogen, it is not halo, cyano or nitro;

[0095] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such compound.

[0096] VI. The CRF antagonist can also be of the following formula, disclosed in WO 98/05661: 6

[0097] wherein the dashed lines represent optional double bonds;

[0098] A is nitrogen or CR7;

[0099] B is —NR1R2, —CR1R2R10, —C(═CR2R11)R1, —NHCR1R2R10, —OCR1R2R10, —SCR1R2R10, —CR2R10NHR1, —CR2R10OR1, —CR2R10SR1 or —COR2, and is single bonded to D; or B is —CR1R2, and is double bonded to D and D is carbon;

[0100] D is nitrogen or CR4 and is single bonded to all atoms to which it is attached, or D is carbon and is double bonded to E or double bonded to B;

[0101] E is oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, C═O, C═S, CR6R12, NR6 or CR6; or E is a two atom spacer, wherein one of the atoms is oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, C═O, C═S, CR6R12, NR6 or CR6, and the other is CR6R12 or CR9;

[0102] K and G are each, independently, C═O, C═S, sulfur, oxygen, CHR6 or NR8 when single bonded to both adjacent ring atoms, or nitrogen or CR8 when it is double bonded to an adjacent ring atom;

[0103] the 6- or 7-membered ring that contains D, E, K and G may contain from one to three double bonds, from zero to two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, and from zero to two C═O or C═S groups, wherein the carbon atoms of such groups are part of the ring and the oxygen and sulfur atoms are substituents on the ring;

[0104] R1 is C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted with from one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C4 alkoxy, CF3, —C(═O)(C1-C4alkyl), —C(═O)—O-(C1-C4)alkyl, —OC(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —OC(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —CN, —NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl) and —SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl groups in the foregoing r1 groups may optionally contain one or two double or triple bonds;

[0105] R2 is C1-C12 alkyl which may optionally contain from one to three double or triple bonds, aryl or (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl, wherein said aryl and the aryl moiety of said (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl is selected from phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, oxazolyl and benzoxazolyl; C3-C8 cycloalkyl or (C1-C6 alkylene)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl), wherein one or two of the carbon atoms of said cycloalkyl and the 5 to 8 membered cycloalkyl moieties of said (C1-C6 alkylene)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur and wherein each of the foregoing R2 groups may optionally be substituted with from one to three substituents independently selected from chloro, fluoro, hydroxy and C1-C4 alkyl, or with one substituent selected from C1-C6 alkoxy, —OC(═O)(C1-C6 alkyl), —OC(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl), amino, —NH(C1C2 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C4 alkyl)-CO-(C1-C4 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —-CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —SH, —CN, —NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl) and —SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl);

[0106] —NR1R2 or CR1R2R10 may form a ring selected from saturated 3 to 8 membered rings, the 5 to 8 membered rings of which may optionally contain one or two double bonds, and wherein one or two of the ring carbon atoms of such 5 to 8 membered rings may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by NZ3 wherein Z3 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0107] R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, —S(C1-C4 alkyl) or —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl);

[0108] R4 is hydrogen, C1-C2 alkyl, hydroxy or fluoro;

[0109] each R6, R8 and R9 that is attached to a carbon atom is selected, independently, from hydrogen, C1-C2 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxy, hydroxymethyl, formyl, trifluoromethyl, cyano, amino, nitro, —O(C1-C2 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C2 alkyl), —CO(C1-C2 alkyl), —C(═O)H or —C(═O)O(C1-C2 alkyl), wherein each of the C1-C2 alkyl moieties in the foregoing R6, R8, and R9 groups may optionally contain one double or triple bond; and each R6, R8, and R9 that is attached to a nitrogen atom is selected, independently, from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl;

[0110] R5 is substituted phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl or pyrimidyl, wherein each of the foregoing R5 groups is substituted with from two to four substituents R15, wherein from one to three of said substituents may be selected, independently, from chloro, C1-C6 alkyl, —O(C1-C6 alkyl) and -(C1-C6alkylene)O(C1-C6alkyl), and wherein one of said substituents may be selected, independently, from bromo, iodo, formyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, —NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C6 alkyl), —C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH2, —NHSO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl) and —SO2(C1-C6 alkyl), and wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl moieties in the foregoing R5 groups may optionally be substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from fluoro, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and acetyl;

[0111] R7 is hydrogen, methyl, halo (e.g., chloro, fluoro, iodo or bromo), hydroxy, methoxy, —C(═O)(C1-C2 alkyl), —C(═O)O(C1-C2 alkyl), trifluoromethoxy, hydroxymethyl, trifluoromethyl or formyl;

[0112] R10 is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy or fluoro;

[0113] R11 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0114] R12 is, hydrogen or methyl; and

[0115] Z is NH, oxygen, sulfur, —N(C1-C4 alkyl), or CR13R14 wherein R13 and R14 are independently selected from hydrogen, and methyl with the exception that one of R13 and R14 may optionally be cyano;

[0116] with the proviso that: (a) in the six or seven membered rings of structures in formula I, there can not be two double bonds adjacent to each other; and (b) when D is carbon and is double bonded to B, then B is CR1R2;

[0117] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such compound.

[0118] VII. The CRF antagonist can also be of the following formula, disclosed in WO 98/08847: 7

[0119] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein

[0120] the dashed lines represent optional double bonds;

[0121] A is nitrogen or CR7;

[0122] B is —NR1R2, —CR1R2R10 —C(═CR2R11)R1, —NHCR1R2R10, —OCR1R2R10, —SCR1R2R10 , —CR2R10NHR1, —CR2R10OR1, —CR2R10SR1 or —COR2;

[0123] J and K are each independently nitrogen or carbon and both J and K are not nitrogens;

[0124] D and E are each selected, independently, from nitrogen, CR4, C═O, C═S, sulfur, oxygen, CR4R6 and NR8;

[0125] G is nitrogen or carbon;

[0126] the ring containing D, E, G, K, and J in formula I may be a saturated or unsaturated 5-membered ring and may optionally contain one or two double bonds and may optionally contain from one to three heteroatoms in the ring and may optionally have one or two C═O or C═S groups;

[0127] R1 is C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, —O-(C1-C4 alkyl), CF3, —C(═O)O-(C1-C4alkyl), —OC(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —OC(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —CN, —NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl) and —SO2N(C1-C2 alkyl), wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl groups in the foregoing R1 groups may optionally contain one or two double or triple bonds;

[0128] R2 is C1-C12 alkyl which may optionally contain from one to three double or triple bonds, aryl or (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl, wherein said aryl and the aryl moiety of said (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl is selected from phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, oxazolyl and benzoxazolyl; C3-C8 cycloalkyl or (C1-C6 alkylene)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl), wherein one or two of the carbon atoms of said cycloalkyl and the 5 to 8 membered cycloalkyl moieties of said (C1-C6 alkylene)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl) may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by NZ2 wherein Z2is selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl and C1-C4 alkanoyl, and wherein each of the foregoing R2 groups may optionally be substituted with from one to three substituents independently selected from chloro, fluoro, hydroxy and C1-C4 alkyl, or with one substituent selected from bromo, iodo, C1-C6 alkoxy, —OC(═O)(C1-C6 alkyl), —OC(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl), amino, —NH(C1C2 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C4 alkyl)-CO-(C1-C4 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —SH, —CN, —NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl) and —SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl);

[0129] —NR1R2 or CR1R2R10 may form a saturated 3 to 8 membered carbocyclic ring which may optionally contain from one to three double bonds and wherein one or two of the ring carbon atoms of such 5 to 8 membered rings may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by NZ3 wherein Z3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl or C1-C4 alkanoyl;

[0130] R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, (C1-C2 alkylene)-O-(C1-C2 alkyl), (C1-C2 alkylene)-OH, or —S(C1-C4 alkyl);

[0131] each R4 is, independently, hydrogen, (C1-C6 alkyl), fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxy, cyano, amino, (C1-C2 alkylene)-OH, CF3, CH2SCH3, nitro, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —CO(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)H or —C(═O)O(C1-C4alkyl);

[0132] R6 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl;

[0133] R8 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0134] R5 is phenyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, pyridazinyl and wherein each of the foregoing R5 groups is substituted with from one to four substituents R13 wherein one to three of said substituents may be selected, independently, from fluoro, chloro, C1-C6 alkyl and —O(C1-C6 alkyl) and one of said substituents may be selected from bromo, iodo, formyl, OH, (C1-C4 alkylene)-OH, (C1-C4alkylene)-O-(C1-C2 alkyl), —CN, —CF3, —NO2, —NH2, —NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C6 alkyl), —OCO(C1-C4 alkyl), (C1-C4 alkylene)-O-(C1-C4 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl), (C1-C4 alkylene)-S-(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH2, —NHSO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl) and —SO2(C1-C6 alkyl), and wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl moieties in the foregoing R5 groups may optionally have one or two double bonds;

[0135] R7 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, halo (e.g., chloro, fluoro, iodo or bromo), hydroxy, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), -C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —OCF3, —CF3, —CH2OH or —CH2O(C1-C2 alkyl);

[0136] R10 is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy or fluoro;

[0137] R11 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; and

[0138] with the proviso that: a) when both J and K are carbons and D is CR4 and E is nitrogen, then G can not be nitrogen; (b) when both J and K are carbons and D and G are nitrogens, then E can not be CR4 or C═O or C═S; (c) when both J and K are carbons and D and E are carbons, then G can not be nitrogen; (d) when G is carbon, it must be double banded to E; and (e) in the ring containing J, K, D, E and G, there can not be two double bonds adjacent to each other;

[0139] and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such compounds.

[0140] VII. Other useful CRF antagonists are of the following formula, disclosed in WO 98/08846: 8

[0141] wherein the dashed lines represent optional double bonds;

[0142] A is nitrogen or CR7;

[0143] B is —NR1R2, —CR1R2R2R10, —C(═CR2R11)R1, —NHCR1R2R10, —OCR1R2R10, —SCR1R2R10, —CR2R10NHR1, —CR2R10 OR1, —CR2R10SR1 or —COR2;

[0144] G is nitrogen or CR4 and is single bonded to all atoms to which it is attached, or G is carbon and is double bonded to K;

[0145] K is nitrogen or CR6 when double bonded to G or E, or K is oxygen, sulfur, C═O, C═S, CR6R2 or NR8 when single bonded to both adjacent ring atoms, or K is a two atom spacer, wherein one of the two ring atoms of the spacer is oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, C═O, C═S, CR6R12, NR6 or CR6, and the other is CR6R12 or CR9 ;

[0146] D and E are each, independently, C═O, C═S, sulfur, oxygen, CR4R6 or NR8 when single bonded to both adjacent ring atoms, or nitrogen or CR4 when it is double bonded to an adjacent ring atom;

[0147] the 6- or 7-membered ring that contains D, E, K and G may contain from one to three double bonds, from zero to two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, and from zero to two C═O or C═S groups, wherein the carbon atoms of such groups are part of the ring and the oxygen and sulfur atoms are substituents on the ring;

[0148] R1 is C1-C6 alkyl optionally substituted with from one or two substituents independently selected from hydroxy, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, C1-C4 alkoxy, CF3, —C(═O)(C1-C4alkyl), —C(═O)—O-(C1-C4)alkyl, —OC(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —OC(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —CN, —NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl) and —SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl groups in the foregoing R1 groups may optionally contain one or two double or triple bonds;

[0149] R2 is C1-C12 alkyl which may optionally contain from one to three double or triple bonds, aryl or (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl, wherein said aryl and the aryl moiety of said (C1-C4 alkylene)aryl is selected from phenyl, naphthyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyridyl, quinolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, furanyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, pyrrolopyridyl, oxazolyl and benzoxazolyl; C3-C8 cycloalkyl or (C1-C6 alkylene)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl), wherein one or two of the carbon atoms of said cycloalkyl and the 5 to 8 membered cycloalkyl moieties of said (C1-C6 alkylene)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by NZ wherein Z is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or benzyl, and wherein each of the foregoing R2 groups may optionally be substituted with from one to three substituents independently selected from chloro, fluoro, hydroxy and C1-C4 alkyl, or with one substituent selected from C1-C6 alkoxy, —OC(═O)(C1-C6 alkyl), —OC(═O)N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —S(C1-C6 alkyl), amino, —NH(C1-C2 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C4 alkyl)-CO-(C1-C4 alkyl), —NHCO(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —COO(C1-C4 alkyl), —CONH(C1-C4 alkyl), —CON(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —SH, —CN, —NO2, —SO(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl) and —SO2N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl);

[0150] —NR1R2 or CR1R2R10 may form a ring selected from saturated 3 to 8 membered rings, the 5 to 8 membered rings of which may optionally contain one or two double bonds, and wherein one or two of the ring carbon atoms of such 5 to 8 membered rings may optionally and independently be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom or by NZ2 wherein Z2 is hydrogen, benzyl or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0151] R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), chloro, fluoro, bromo, iodo, —S(C1-C4 alkyl) or —SO2(C1-C4 alkyl);

[0152] each R8, R9 and R12 is selected, independently, from hydrogen and C1-C2 alkyl;

[0153] each R4 and R6 that is attached to a carbon atom is selected, independently, from hydrogen and C1-C6 alkyl, fluoro, chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxy, hydroxy (C1-C2 alkyl), trifluoromethyl, cyano, amino, nitro, —O(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C4 alkyl)(C1-C2 alkyl), —CH2SCH3, —S(C1-C4 alkyl), —CO(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)H or —C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), wherein each of the C1-C2 alkyl moieties in the foregoing R4 and R6 groups may optionally contain one double or triple bond; and R6, when attached to a nitrogen atom, is selected from hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl;

[0154] R5 is substituted phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl or pyrimidyl, wherein each of the foregoing R5 groups is substituted with from two to four substituents R13, wherein up to three of said substituents may be selected, independently, from chloro, C1-C6 alkyl, —O(C1-C6 alkyl) and -(C1-C6 alkylene)O(C1-C6alkyl), and wherein one of said substituents may be selected, independently, from bromo, iodo, formyl, cyano, trifluoromethyl, nitro, amino, —NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C6 alkyl), —C(═O)O(C1-C4 alkyl), —C(═O)(C1-C4 alkyl), —COOH, —SO2NH(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2N(C1-C2 alkyl)(C1-C4 alkyl), —SO2NH2, —NHSO2(C1-C4 alkyl), -(C0-C1alkylene)-S-(C1-C2alkyl), -(C0-C1alkylene)-SO-(C1-C2alkyl), -(C0-C1alkylene) -SO2-(C1-C2alkyl) and -(C1-C4alkylene)-OH, and wherein each of the C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C6 alkyl moieties in the foregoing R5 groups may optionally be substituted with one or two substituents independently selected from fluoro, hydroxy, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino and acetyl;

[0155] R7 is hydrogen, methyl, halo (e.g., chloro, fluoro, iodo or bromo), hydroxy, methoxy, —C(═O)(C1-C2 alkyl), —C(═O)O(C1-C2 alkyl), hydroxymethyl, trifluoromethyl or formyl;

[0156] R10 is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy or fluoro; and

[0157] R11 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0158] with the proviso that in the ring containing D, E, K and G of formula I, there can not be two double bonds adjacent to each other;

[0159] and the pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such compound.

[0160] IX. The CRF antagonist may also be of the following formula, disclosed in WO 95/10506: 9

[0161] or a pharmaceutically, acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein Y is CR3a, N, or CR29;

[0162] when Y is CR3a or N:

[0163] R1 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, halogen, C1-C2 haloalkyl, NR6R7, OR8, and S(O)nR8; R3 is C1-C4 alkyl, aryl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C1-C2 haloalkyl, halogen, nitro, NR6R7, OR8, S(O)nR8 C(═O)R9, C(═O)NR6R7, C(═S)NR6R7, -(CHR16)kNR6R7, (CH2)kOR8, C(═O)NR10CH(R11)CO2R12, —C(OH)(R25)(R25a), -(CH2)pS(O)n-alkyl, —(CHR16)R25, —C(CN)(R25)(R16) provided that R25 is not —NH— containing rings, —C(═O)R25, —CH(CO2R16)2, NR10C(═O)CH(R11)NR10R12, NR10CH(R11)CO2R12; substituted C1-C4 alkyl, substituted C2-C4 alkenyl, substituted C2-C4 alkynyl, substituted C1-C4 alkoxy, aryl-(substituted C1-C4) alkyl, aryl-(substituted C1-C4) alkoxy, substituted C3-C6 cycloalkyl, amino-(substituted C1-C4)alkyl, substituted C1-C4 alkylamino, where substitution by R27 can occur on any carbon containing substituent; 2-pyridinyl, imidazolyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl, 2-methyl-3-pyridinyl, 4-methyl-3-pyridinyl, furanyl, 5-methyl-2-furanyl, 2,5-dimethyl-3-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 5-methyl-2-thienyl, 2-pheno-thiazinyl, 4-pyrazinyl, azetidinyl, phenyl, 1H-indazolyl, 2-pyrrolidonyl, 2H,6H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, 3H-indolyl, 4-piperidonyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, 6H-1,2,5-thiadiazinyl, acridinyl, azocinyl, azepinyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, carbazolyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, furazanyl, imidazolidinyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, benzimidazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, phenoxathiinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyranyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl, &bgr;-carbolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrazolyl, thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, thiophenyl, triazinyl, xanthenyl; or 1-tetrahydroquinolinyl or 2-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl either of which can be substituted with 0-3 groups chosen from keto and C1-C4 alkyl; J, K, and L are independently selected at each occurrence from the group of N, CH, and CX′;

[0164] M is CR5 or N;

[0165] V is CR1a or N;

[0166] Z is CR2 or N;

[0167] R1a, R2, and R3a are independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, halomethyl, C1-C3 alkyl, and cyano;

[0168] R4 is (CH2)mOR16, C1-C4 alkyl, allyl, propargyl, (CH2)mR13, or —(CH2)mOC(O)R16;

[0169] X is halogen, aryl, heteroaryl, S(O)2R8, SR8, halomethyl, —(CH2)pOR8, cyano, —(CHR16)pNR14R15, —C(═O)R8, C1-C6 alkyl, C4-C10 cycloalkylalkyl, C1-C10alkenyl, C1-C10alkynyl, C2-C10alkoxy, aryl-(C2-C10)-alkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, aryl-(C1-C10)-alkoxy, nitro, thio-(C1-C10)-alkyl, —C(═NOR16)-C1-C4-alkyl, —C(═NOR16)H, or —C(═O)NR14R15, where substitution by R18 can occur on any carbon containing substituents;

[0170] X′ is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, aryl, heteroaryl, S(O)nR8, halomethyl, —(CHR16)pOR8, cyano, —(CHR16)pNR14R15, C(═O)R8, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C10alkenyl, Cc-C10alkynyl, C1-C10alkoxy, aryl-(C1-C1)-alkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, aryl-(C1-C10)-alkoxy, nitro, thio-(C1-C10)-alkyl, —C(═NOR16)-C1C4-alkyl, —C(═NOR16)H, and —C(═O)NR14R15, where substitution by R16 can occur on any carbon containing substituents;

[0171] R5 is halo, —C(═NOR16)-C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4alkyl, C1-C3 haloalkyl, —(CHR16)pOR8, —(CHR16)pS(O),R8, —(CHR6)pNR14R15, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C2-C10alkenyl, C2-C10alkynyl, aryl-(C2-C10)-akyl, aryl-(C1-C10)-alkoxy, cyano, C3-C6 cycloalkoxy, nitro, amino- (C2-C10)-alkyl, thio-(C2-C10)-alkyl, SOn(R8), C(═O)R8 -C(═NOR16)H, or —C(═O)NR14R15, where substitution by R18 can occur on any carbon containing substituents;

[0172] R6 and R7 are independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, (C4-C12)-cycloalkylalkyl, —(CH2)kR13, (CHR16)pOR8, -(C1-C6alkyl)-aryl, heteroaryl, —S(O)z-aryl or -(C1-C6alkyl)-heteroaryl or aryl, wherein the aryl or heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, NHC(═O)(C1-C6 alkyl), NH(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C6 alkyl)2, nitro, carboxy, CO2(C1-C6 alkyl), cyano, and S(O)2-(C1-C6-alkyl); or can be taken together to form —(CH2)pA(CH2)r—, optionally substituted with 0-3 R17 or, when considered with the commonly attached nitrogen, can be taken together to form a heterocycle, said heterocycle being substituted on carbon with 1-3 groups consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy, or C1-C6 alkoxy;

[0173] A is CH2, O, NR25 C(═O), S(O)n, N(C(═O)R17), N(R19), C(H)(NR14R15) C(H)(OR20), C(H)(C(═O)R21), or N(S(O)nR21);

[0174] R8 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen; C1-C6 alkyl; -(C4-C12) cycloalkylalkyl; (CH2)tR22; C3-C10 cycloalkyl; —NR6R7; aryl; heteroaryl; —NR16(CH2)nR6R7; —(CH2)kR25; and (CH2)theteroaryl or (CH2)taryl, either of which can optionally be substituted with 1-3 groups selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, NHC(═O)(C1-C6 alkyl), NH(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C6 alkyl)2, nitro, carboxy, CO2(C1-C6 alkyl), cyano, and S(O)2(C1-C6-alkyl);

[0175] R9 is independently selected at each occurrence from R10, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkoxy, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, aryl substituted with 0-3 R18, and -(C1-C6 alkyl)-aryl substituted with 0-3 R18;

[0176] R10, R16, R24, and R2 are independently selected at each occurrence from hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0177] R11 is C1-C4 alkyl substituted with 0-3 groups chosen from the following: keto, amino, sulfhydryl, hydroxyl, guanidinyl, p-hydroxyphenyl, imidazolyl, phenyl, indolyl, and indolinyl, or, when taken together with an adjacent R10, are (CH2)t;

[0178] R12 is hydrogen or an appropriate amine protecting group for nitrogen or an appropriate carboxylic acid protecting group for carboxyl;

[0179] R13 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of CN, OR19, SR19, and C3-C6 cycloalkyl;

[0180] R14 and R15 are independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C4-C10, cycloalkyl-alkyl, and R19;

[0181] R17 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of R10, C1-C4 alkoxy, halo, OR23, SR23, NR23R24, and (C1-C6) alkyl (C1-C4) alkoxy;

[0182] R18 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of R10, hydroxy, halogen, C1-C2 haloalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C(═O)R24, and cyano;

[0183] R19 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, (CH2)wR22, and aryl substituted with 0-3 R18;

[0184] R20 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of R10, C(═O)R31, and C2-C4 alkenyl;

[0185] R21 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of R10, C1-C4 alkoxy, NR23R24, and hydroxyl;

[0186] R22 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of cyano, OR24, SR24, NR23R24, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, —S(O)nR31, and —C(═O)R25;

[0187] R25, which can be optionally substituted with 0-3 R17, is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of phenyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, 2-methyl-3-pyridinyl, 4-methyl-3-pyridinyl, furanyl, 5-methyl-2-furanyl, 2,5-dimethyl-3-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 5-methyl-2-thienyl, 2-pheno-thiazinyl, 4-pyrazinyl, azetidinyl, 1H-indazolyl, 2-pyrrolidonyl, 2H,6H-1,5,2-dithiazinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, 3H-indolyl, 4-piperidonyl 4aH-carbazolyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, 6H-1,2,5-thiadiazinyl, acridinyl, azocinyl, azepinyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiophenyl, carbazolyl, chromanyl, chromenyl, cinnolinyl, decahydroquinolinyl, furazanyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isobenzofuranyl, isochromanyl, isoindolinyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl benzimidazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, morpholinyl, naphthyridinyl, octahydroisoquinolinyl, oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, phenanthridinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxathiinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyranyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinuclidinyl, B-carbolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrazolyl, thianthrenyl, thiazolyl, thiophenyl, triazinyl, xanthenyl; and 1-tetrahydroquinolinyl or 2-tetrahydroisoquinolinyl either of which can be substituted with 0-3 groups chosen from keto and C1-C4 alkyl;

[0188] R25a, which can be optionally substituted with 0-3 R17, is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of H and R25;

[0189] R27 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of C1-C3 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C2-C4 alkoxy, aryl, nitro, cyano, halogen, aryloxy, and heterocycle optionally linked through 0;

[0190] R31 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, C4-C10 cycloalkyl-alkyl, and aryl-(C1-C4) alkyl;

[0191] k, m, and r are independently selected at each occurrence from 1-4;

[0192] n is independently, selected at each occurrence from 0-2,

[0193] p, q, and z are independently selected at each occurrence from 0-3;

[0194] t and w are independently selected at each occurrence from 1-6,

[0195] provided that when J is CX′ and K and L are both CH, and M is CR5, then

[0196] (A) when V and Y are N and Z is CH and R1 and R3 are methyl,

[0197] (1) and R4 is methyl, then

[0198] (a) R5 can not be methyl when X is OH and X′ is H;

[0199] (b) R5 can not be —NHCH3, or —N(CH3)2 when X and X′ are—OCH3; and

[0200] (c) R5 can not be —N(CH3)2 when X and X′ are —OCH2CH3;

[0201] (2) and R4 is ethyl, then

[0202] (a) R5 can not be methylamine when X and X′ are —OCH3;

[0203] (b) R5 can not be OH when X is Br and X′ is OH; and

[0204] (c) R5 can not be —CH2OH or —CH2N(CH3)2 when X is —SCH3 and X′is H;

[0205] (B) when V and Y are N, Z is CH, R4 is ethyl, R5 is iso-propyl, X is Br, X′ is H, and

[0206] (1) R1 is CH3, then

[0207] (a) R3 can not be OH, piperazin-1-yl, —CH2,-piperidin-1-yl, —CH2-(N-4-methylpiperazin-1-yl), —C(O)NH-phenyl, —CO2H, —CH2O-(4-pyridyl), —C(O)NH2, 2-indolyl, —CH2O-(4-carboxyphenyl), —N(CH2CH3)(2-bromo-4-isopropylphenyl);

[0208] (2) R2 is —CH2CH2CH3 then R3 can not be —CH2CH2CH3

[0209] (C) when V, Y and Z are N, R4 is ethyl, and

[0210] (1) R5 is iso-propyl, X is bromo, and X′ is H, then

[0211] (a) R3 can not be OH or —OCH2CN when R1 is CH3 and

[0212] (b) R3can not be —N(CH3)2 when R1 is —N(CH3)2;

[0213] (2) R5 is —OCH3, X is —OCH3, and X′ is H, then R3 and R1 can not both be chloro; further provided that when J, K, and L are all CH and M is CR5, then

[0214] (D) at least one of V, Y, and Z must be N;

[0215] (E) when V is CR1a, Z and Y can not both be N;

[0216] (F) when Y is CR3a, Z and V can not both be N;

[0217] (G) when Z is CR2, V and Y must both be N;

[0218] (H) Z can be N only when both V and Y are N or when V is CR1a and Y is CR3a;

[0219] (I) when V and Y are N, Z is CR2, and R2 is H or C1-C3 alkyl, and R4 is C1-C3 alkyl, R3 can not be 2-pyridinyl, indolyl, indolinyl, imidazolyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl, 2-methyl-3-pyridinyl, 4-methyl-3-pyridinyl, furanyl, 5-methyl-2-furanyl, 2,5-dimethyl-3-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 5-methyl-2-thienyl, 2-phenothiazinyl, or 4-pyrazinyl;

[0220] (J) when V and Y are N; Z is CR2; R is H or C1-C3 alkyl; R4 is C1-C4 alkyl, R5, X, and/or X′ are OH, halo, CF3, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkylthio, cyano, amino, carbamoyl, or C1-C4 alkanoyl; and R1 is C1-C4 alkyl, then R4 can not be —NH(substituted phenyl) or —N(C1-C4 alkyl) (substituted phenyl);

[0221] and wherein, when Y is CR29:

[0222] J, K, L, M, Z, A, k, m, n, p, q, r, t, w, R3, R10, R11, R12, R13, R16, R18, R19, R21, R23, R24, R25, and R27 are as defined above and R25a, in addition to being as defined above, can also be C1-C4 alkyl, but

[0223] V is N;

[0224] R1 is C1-C2 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, C2-C4 alkoxy, halogen, amino, methylamino, dimethylamino, aminomethyl, or N-methylaminomethyl;

[0225] R2 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, C1-C3, alkyl, nitro, amino, and —CO2R10;

[0226] R4 is taken together with R29 to form a 5-membered ring and is —C(R26)═ or —N═ when R29 is —C(R30)═ or —N═, or —CH(R26)— when R29 is —CH(R30)—;

[0227] X is Cl, Br, I, S(O)nR8, OR8, halomethyl, —(CHR )pOR8, cyano, —(CHR16)pNR14R15, C(═O)R8, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C1-C10, alkoxy, aryl-(C1-C10)-alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, aryl-(C1-C10)-alkoxy, nitro, thio-(C1-C10)-alkyl, —C(═NOR16)-C1—C4-alkyl, —C(═NOR16)H, or C(═O)NR14R15 where substitution by R18 can occur on any carbon containing substituents;

[0228] X′ is hydrogen, Cl, Br, I, S(O)nR8, —(CHR16)pOR8, halomethyl, cyano, —(CHR16)pNR14R15, C(═O)R8, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C10alkenyl, C1-C10 alkoxy, aryl-(C1-C10)-alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, aryl-(C2-C10)-alkoxy, nitro, thio-(C2-C10)-alkyl, —C(═NOR16)-C1-C4-alkyl, —C(═NOR16)H, or C(═O)NR8R15 where substitution by R18 can occur on any carbon containing substituents;

[0229] R5 is halo, —C(═NOR16)-C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C3 haloalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, (CHR16)pOR5, (CHR16)pS(O)nR8, (CHR16)pNR14R15, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, aryl-(C2-C10)-alkyl, aryl-(C1-C10)-alkoxy, cyano, C3-C6 cycloalkoxy, nitro, amino-(C1-C10)-alkyl, thio-(C1-C10)-alkyl, SOn(R8), C(═O)R8, —C(═NOR16)H, or C(═O)NR8R15 where substitution by R18 can occur on any carbon containing substituents;

[0230] R6 and R7 are independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, —(CH2)kR13, (C4-C12)-cycloalkylalkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, -(C1-C6 alkyl)-aryl, heteroaryl, aryl, —S(O),-aryl or -(C1-C6 alkyl)-heteroaryl or aryl wherein the aryl or heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, NHC(═O)(C1-C6 alkyl), NH(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C6 alkyl)2, nitro, carboxy, CO2(C1-C6 alkyl), and cyano; or can be taken together to form —(CH2)qA(CH2)r—, optionally substituted with 0-3 R17; or, when considered with the commonly attached nitrogen, can be taken together to form a heterocycle, said heterocycle being substituted on carbon with 1-3 groups consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy, or C1-C6 alkoxy;

[0231] R8 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, -(C4-C12) cycloalkylalkyl, (CH2)R22, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, -(C1-C6 alkyl)-aryl, heteroaryl, —NR16, —N(CH2)nNR6R7; —(CH2)kR25, -(C1-C6 alkyl)-heteroaryl or aryl optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, amino, NHC(═O)(C1-C6 alkyl), NH(C1-C6 alkyl), N(C1-C6alkyl)2, nitro, carboxy, CO2(C1-C6 alkyl), and cyano;

[0232] R9 is independently selected at each occurrence from R10, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkoxy, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, and aryl substituted with 0-3 R18;

[0233] R14and R15 are independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, (CH2)tR22, and aryl substituted with 0-3 R18;

[0234] R17 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of R10, C1-C4 alkoxy, halo, OR23, SR23, and NR23R24;

[0235] R20 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of R10 and C(═O)R31;

[0236] R22 is independently selected at each occurrence from the group consisting of cyano, OR24, SR24, NR23R24, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, —S(O)nR31, and —C(═O)R25;

[0237] R26 is hydrogen or halogen;

[0238] R28 is C1-C2, alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl, C2-C4 alkynyl, hydrogen, C1-C2 alkoxy, halogen, or C2-C4 alkylamino;

[0239] R29 is taken together with R4 to form a five membered ring and is: —CH(R30)— when R4 is —CH(R28)—, —C(R30)═ or —N═ when R4 is —C(R28)═or —N═;

[0240] R30 is hydrogen, cyano, C1-C2 alkyl, C1-C2 alkoxy, halogen, C1-C2 alkenyl, nitro, amido, carboxy, or amino;

[0241] R31 is C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl, or aryl-(C1-C4) alkyl; provided that when J, K, and L are all CH, M is CR5, Z is CH, R3 is CH3, R28 is H, R5 is isopropyl, X is Br, X′ is H, and R1 is CH3, then R30 can not be H, —CO2H, or —CH2NH2; and further provided that when J, K and L are all CH; M is CR5; Z is N; and

[0242] (A) R29 is —C(R30)═; then one of R28 or R30 is hydrogen;

[0243] (B) R29 is N; then R3 is not halo, NH2, NO2, CF3, CO2H, CO2-alkyl, alkyl, acyl, alkoxy, OH, or —(CH2)mOalkyl;

[0244] (C) R29 is N; then R28 is not methyl if X or X′ are bromo or methyl and R5 is nitro; or

[0245] (D) R29 is N; and R1 is CH3; and R3 is amino; then R5 is not halogen or methyl.

[0246] Preferred compounds of this group include those wherein:

[0247] i) V is N, R1 is methyl; and R3 is aryl, NR6R7, or OR8;

[0248] ii) V is N, R1 is methyl; R3 is aryl, NR6R7, or OR8; and R4 is methyl or ethyl;

[0249] iii) V is N, R1 is methyl; R3 is aryl, NR6R7, or OR8; R4 is methyl or ethyl; and X is O(C1-C4 alkyl), Br, or C1-C4 alkyl;

[0250] iv) V is N, R1 is methyl; R3 is aryl, NR6R7, or OR8; R4 is methyl, ethyl; X is OMe, Br, or (C1-C4 alkyl), M is C1-C4 alkyl, Br, Cl, or O(C1-C4 alkyl); and

[0251] v) V is N, R1 is methyl; R3 is aryl, NR6R7, OR8; or R4 is methyl, ethyl; X is OMe, Br, or C1-C4 alkyl, M is C1-C4 alkyl, Br, Cl, or O(C1-C4 alkyl); and L is CH, or N.

[0252] X. The invention also encompasses use of aminothiazole derivatives of the following formula, disclosed in WO 97/00868: 10

[0253] wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently a halogen atom; a C1-C5 hydroxyalkyl radical; C1-C5 alkyl; C7-C10 aralkyl; C1-C5 alkoxy; trifluoromethyl; nitro; nitrile; a group —SR where R is hydrogen, a C1-C5 alkyl radical or a C7-C10 aralkyl radical; a group S—CO—R where R is a C1-C5 alkyl radical or aralkyl in which the aryl portion is C6-C8 and the alkyl portion is C1-C4; a group —COOR′ where R′ is hydrogen or C1-C5 alkyl; a group —CONR′R″ where R′ and R″ are as defined above for R′; a group —NR′R″ where R′ and R″ are as previously defined for R′; a group —CONRaRb or NRaRb, where Ra and Rb, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring; or a group —NHCO— NR′R″, where R′ and R″ are as defined above for R′; R3 is hydrogen or as defined for R1 and R2 is a hydrogen atom; C1-5 alkyl; halogen; a hydroxymethyl group; or a formyl group; R5 is C1-C5 alkyl; a C3-C7 cycloalkyl group; a cycloalkylalkyl group in which the cycloalkyl portion is C3-C7 and the alkyl portion is C1-C5; or C5-C6 alkenyl; n is 0 or 1; R6 is C1-5 alkyl; alkoxyalkyl in which the alkyl portions are C1-C5; C3-C7 cycloalkyl; a cycloalkylalkyl group in which the cycloalkyl portion is C3-C7 and the alkyl portion is C1-C5; a cycloalkyloxyalkyl radical in which the cycloalkyl is C3-C7 and the alkyl is C1-C4; a hydroxyalkyloxyalkyl radical in which the alkyls are C2-C10; or an alkoxyalkyloxyalkyl radical in which the alkyls are C3-C12; and Z is an optionally substituted bi- or tricyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group; and stereoisomers and/or addition salts thereof.

[0254] XI. CRF antagonists of the following formula, disclosed in WO 97/29109, may also be employed: 11

[0255] including the stereoisomers and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt

[0256] forms thereof, wherein

[0257] R1 is NR4R5 or OR5;

[0258] R2 is C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkyloxy or C1-C6alkylthio,

[0259] R3 is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6alkylsulfoxy or C1-C6alkylthio;

[0260] R4 is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, mono- or di(C3-C6cyloalkylmethyl, C3-C6cyloalkyl, C3-C6alkenyl, hydroxyC1-C6alkyl, C1-C6akylcarbonyloxyC1-C6alkyl or C1-C6alkyloxyC1-C6alkyl;

[0261] R5 is C1-C8alkyl, mono- or di(C3-C6cycloalkyl)methyl, Ar1CH2, C3-C6alkenyl, C1-C6alkyloxyC1-C6alkyl, hydroxyC1-C6alkyl, thienylmethyl, furanylmethyl, C1-C6alkylthioC1-C6alkyl, morpholinyl, mono- or di(C1-C6alkyl)aminoC1-6alkyl, di(C1-C6alkyl)amino, C1-C6alkylcarbonylC1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkyl substituted with imidazolyl; or a radical of formula —Alk—O—CO—Ar1;

[0262] or R4 and R5 taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached may form a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or morpholinyl group, optionally substituted with C1-C6alkyl or C1-C6alkyloxyC1-C6alkyl; and

[0263] Ar is phenyl; phenyl substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from halo, C1-C6alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, cyano, C1-C6alkyloxy, benzyloxy, C1-C6alkylthio, nitro, amino and mono- or di(C1-C6alkyl)amino; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with I˜2 or 3 substituents independently selected from halo, C1-C6alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, cyano, C1-C6alkyloxy, benzyloxy, C1-C6alkylthio, nitro, amino, mono- or di(C1-C6alkyl)amino and piperidinyl; and wherein said substituted phenyl may optionally be further substituted with one or more halogens;

[0264] Ar1 is phenyl; phenyl substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently selected from halo, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkyloxy, di(C1-C6alkyl)aminoC1-C6alkyl, trifluoromethyl and C1-C6alkyl substituted with morpholinyl; or pyridinyl; and Alk is C1-C6alkanediyl; with the proviso that 5-methyl-3-phenyl-7-(phenylmethoxy)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidine and 2,5-dimethyl-7-(methylamino)-3-phenyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine are not included.

[0265] Preferred compounds of this formula are those wherein R2 is methyl; R3 is hydrogen, or C1-C6 alkyl; and Ar is substituted phenyl or 3-pyridyl.

[0266] XII. CRF antagonists of the following formula, disclosed in WO 97/29110, may also be employed: 12

[0267] including the stereoisomers and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt forms thereof, wherein

[0268] X is S. SO or SO2;

[0269] R1 is NR4R5 or OR5;

[0270] R2 is C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkyloxy or C1-C6alkylthio;

[0271] R3 is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkylsulfonyl, C1-C6alkylsulfoxy or C1-C6alkylthio;

[0272] R4 is hydrogen, C1-6alkyl, mono- or di(C3-C6cycloalkyl)methyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, C3-C6alkenyl, hydroxyC1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkylcarbonyloxyC1-C6alkyl or C1-C6alkyloxyC1-C6alkyl;

[0273] R5 is C1-C8alkyl, mono- or di(C3-C6cycloalkyl)methyl, Ar1CH2, C3-C6alkenyl, C1-C6alkyloxyC1-C6alkyl, hydroxyC1-C6alkyl, thienylmethyl, furanylmethyl, C1-C6alkylthioC1-C6alkyl, morpholinyl, mono- or di(C1-C6alkyl)aminoC1-C6alkyl, di(C1-C6alkyl)amino, C1-C6alkylcarbonylC1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkyl substituted with imidazolyl; or a radical of formula —Alk—O—CO—Ar I; or R4 and R5 taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached may form a pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, homopiperidinyl or morpholinyl group, optionally substituted with C1-C6alkyl or C1-C6alkyloxyC1-C6alkyl;

[0274] Ar is phenyl; phenyl substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from halo, C1-C6alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, cyano, C1-C6alkyloxy, benzyloxy, C1-C6alkylthio, nitro, amino and mono- or di(C1-C6alkyl)amino; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents independently selected from halo, C1-C6alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, cyano, C1-C6alkyloxy, benzyloxy, C1-C6alkylthio, nitro, amino, mono- or di(C1-C6alkyl)amino and piperidinyl; and wherein said substituted phenyl may optionally be further substituted with one or more halogens;

[0275] Ar1is phenyl; phenyl substituted with 1, 2 or 3 substituents each independently selected from halo, C1-C6alkyl, C1-C6alkyloxy, di(C1-C6alkyl)aminoC1-C6alkyl trifluoromethyl, and C1-C6alkyl substituted with morpholinyl; or pyridinyl; and

[0276] Alk is C1-C6alkanediyl.

[0277] Preferred compounds of this group include those wherein:

[0278] i) R2 is methyl;

[0279] ii) R2 is methyl; and Ar is substituted phenyl or 3-pyridyl;

[0280] iii) R2 is methyl; R3 is methyl; and Ar is substituted phenyl or 3-pyridyl.

[0281] Specific CRF antagonists useful in the practice of the invention, include, without limitation, the following compounds:

[0282] 4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-3,6-dimethyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-pyridine;

[0283] butyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-ethyl-amino;

[0284] 4-(butyl-ethylamino)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,7-dihydro-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-6-one;

[0285] 4-(1-ethylpropoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-6-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-pyrimidine;

[0286] N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,5-dimethyl-NN-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-pyrimidine-4,6-diamine;

[0287] [4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-3,6-dimethyl-pyridin-2-yl]-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-amine;

[0288] 6-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-2,7-dimethyl-9-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7,9-dihydro-purin-8-one;

[0289] 3-{(4-methyl-benzyl)-[3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amino}-propan-1-ol;

[0290] diethyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1 H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0291] 2-{butyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amino}-ethanol;

[0292] dibutyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl}-amine;

[0293] butyl-ethyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0294] butyl-ethyl-(6-methyl-3-methylsulfonyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0295] butyl-cyclopropylmethyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0296] di-1-propyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0297] diallyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0298] butyl-ethyl-[6-chloro-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0299] butyl-ethyl-[6-methoxy-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0300] propyl-ethyl-[3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0301] 4-(1-ethyl-propyl)-6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine;

[0302] n-butyl-ethyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

[0303] di-n-propyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

[0304] ethyl-n-propyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

[0305] diethyl-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

[0306] n-butyl-ethyl-[2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

[0307] 2-{N-n-butyl-N-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amino}-ethanol;

[0308] 4-(1 -ethyl-propyl)-2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

[0309] n-butyl-ethyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

[0310] 2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidyl-4-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl) amine;

[0311] butyl-[3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyridin-4-yl]-ethylamine;

[0312] [3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4,b]pyridin-4-yl]-(1-methoxymethylpropyl)-amine;

[0313] 4-(1-methoxymethylpropoxy)-3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine;

[0314] (1-ethylpropyl)-[3,5,6-trimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-4-yl]-amine;

[0315] 4-(1-ethylpropoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine;

[0316] 4-(1-ethylpropoxy)-2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine;

[0317] 4-(1-ethylpropoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromophenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine;

[0318] 2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(1-propylbutyl)-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

[0319] 1-(1-ethylpropyl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylamino)-1,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one;

[0320] 9-(1-ethylpropyl)-2-methyl-6-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylamino)-7,9-dihydro-purin-8-one;

[0321] 1-(1-ethylpropyl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-1,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one;

[0322] 1-(1-ethylpropyl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine;

[0323] 1-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,6-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-1,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one;

[0324] 1-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,6-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylamino)-1,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one;

[0325] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-4,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,4-dihydro-2H-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazin-3-one;

[0326] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-4,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,4-dihydro-2H-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazin-3-one;

[0327] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-4,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine;

[0328] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine;

[0329] 1(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-2-oxo-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-[1,6]na phthyridine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester;

[0330] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-2-oxo-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-[1,6]na phthyridine-3-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester;

[0331] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-3,4-dihydro-1 H-[1,6]naphthyridin-2-one;

[0332] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-[1,6]naphthyridine;

[0333] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,6-diaza-naphthalene;

[0334] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-4,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,6-diaza-naphthalene;

[0335] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-3,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-3,4-dihydro-1H-3-oxa-[1,6]-naphthyridin-2-one;

[0336] 1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-3,3,6-trimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine;

[0337] 7-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine;

[0338] [2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

[0339] (1-ethyl-propyl)-[5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-amine;

[0340] 7-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine;

[0341] [2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl)-ethyl-propyl-amine;

[0342] [6-bromo-5-bromomethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

[0343] (1-ethyl-propyl)-[5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-yl]-amine;

[0344] [6-bromo-5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-methyl-amine;

[0345] 7-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridine;

[0346] 4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyr imidine;

[0347] (±)-2,5-dimethyl-4-(tetrahydro-furan-3-yloxy)-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo-[3,2-d]pyrimidine;

[0348] 2,5-dimethyl-4-(S)-(tetrahydro-furan-3-yloxy)-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo-[3,2-d]pyrimidine;

[0349] 2,5-dimethyl-4-( 1-propyl-butoxy)-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine;

[0350] 4-sec-butylsulfanyl-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine;

[0351] 4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2,6-dimethyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido [2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

[0352] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H- pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0353] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido [2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0354] 4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

[0355] 5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0356] 5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2-dihydro-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalen-4-one;

[0357] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)- 1,6-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0358] (1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinolin-4-yl]-amine;

[0359] 4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2,6-dimethyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

[0360] 4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

[0361] 4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

[0362] (butyl-ethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0363] (propyl-ethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0364] (diethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido [2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0365] (1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0366] (1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

[0367] 4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

[0368] 4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido [2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

[0369] (butyl-ethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0370] (propyl-ethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0371] (diethyl)-[2-methyl-8-( 2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0372] (1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

[0373] (1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro- pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

[0374] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro- 1H-pyrido [2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0375] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0376] 4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-quinoline;

[0377] 5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H- 3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0378] 5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl )-1,2-dihydro-3-oxa-1, 8-diaza-naphthalen-4-one;

[0379] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-1,6-dimethyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0380] (1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-quinolin-4-yl]-amine;

[0381] 4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2,6-dimethyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

[0382] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0383] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0384] 4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-quinoline;

[0385] 5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro- 2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0386] 5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-1,2-dihydro-3- oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalen4-one;

[0387] 8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-1,6-dimethyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0388] (1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-quinolin-4-yl]-amine;

[0389] 8-(1-hydroxymethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0390] 8-(1-hydroxymethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4- dihydro- 1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0391] 8-(1-ethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0392] 8-diethylamino-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1 H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0393] 8-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0394] 8-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido [2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

[0395] 8-(1-hydroxymethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl )-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0396] 8-(1-hydroxymethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)- 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0397] 8-(1-ethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0398] 8-diethylamino-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido [2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0399] 8-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0400] 8-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

[0401] 4-(1-hydroxymethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

[0402] 4-(1-hydroxymethyl-propylamino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)- quinoline;

[0403] 4-(1-ethyl-propylamino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

[0404] 4-diethylamino-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

[0405] 4-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

[0406] 4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

[0407] 5-(1-hydroxymethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0408] 5-(1-hydroxymethyl-propylamino)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl )-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0409] 5-(1-ethyl-propylamino)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0410] 5-diethylamino-5-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)- 1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0411] 5-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0412] 8-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

[0413] 4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(1-(methoxymethyl)-1-(naphth-2-yl)methyl)-N-pr opylamino]thiazole;

[0414] oxalate of 4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-methoxyisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0415] oxalate of 4(2-methoxyphenyl)-5-2[-(6-methylisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0416] 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(1-methoxycarbonylmethylindol-5-yl)-N-p ropylamino]thiazole;

[0417] oxalate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-methoxy isoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0418] oxalate of 4-2chloro4methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N(6-chloroisoquinol-5-yl)-N- propylamino]thiazole;

[0419] oxalate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-methoxyisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0420] 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5methyl-2[N-(6-methoxyisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0421] oxalate of 4-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-6-methoxyisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0422] chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(2-ethoxynaphth-1-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0423] chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2[N-(2,3-dimethylnaphth-1-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0424] chlorhydrate de 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-bromo-2-methoxynaphth-1-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0425] chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(2,6-dimethylnaphth-1-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0426] chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(1-(methoxymethyl)-1-(naphth-2-yl)methyl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0427] chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(1 -(cyclopropyl)-1-(naphth-2-yl)methyl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

[0428] 3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7(N-propyl-N-cyclopropanemethylamino)-pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine;

[0429] 3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N-allyl-N-cyclopropanemethylamino)-pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine;

[0430] 2-methylthio-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N,N-diallylamino) -pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine;

[0431] 2-methylthio-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N-butyl-N-cyclopropanemethyl-amino)pyrazolo[2,3-alpyrimidine;

[0432] 2_methylthio-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N-propyl-N-cyclopopanemethyl-amino) pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine;

[0433] 2-methyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N, N-dipropylamino)-pyrazolo[2,3-a) pyrimidine;

[0434] 3-[6-(dimethylamino)-3-pyridinyl-2,5-dimethyl-N,N-dipropyl-pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

[0435] 3-[6-(dimethylamino)-4-methyl-3-pyridinyl]-2,5-dimethyl-N,N-dipropyl-pyrazolo[2,3-a]p yrimidine-7-amine;

[0436] 3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(N-propyl-N-methyloxyethylamino)-pyrazolo (2,3-a)pyrimidine;

[0437] 7-(N-diethylamino)-2,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methyl-4-methoxyphenyl-[1,5-a]-pyrazolopyrimidine;

[0438] 7-(N-(3-cyanopropyl )-N-propylamino-2,5,dimethyl-3-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-[1,5-a]-pyrazolopyrimidine;

[0439] [3,6-dimethyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-pyridin-4-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

[0440] [2-(4-chloro-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy)-3,6-dimethyl-pyridin-4-yl]-( 1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

[0441] cyclopropylmethyl-[3-(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-propyl-amine;

[0442] cyclopropylmethyl-[3-(2-methyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-propyl-amine;

[0443] cyclopropylmethyl-[3-(2,4-di-chloro-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-propyl-amine;

[0444] [3-(2-methyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-di-propyl-amine;

[0445] [2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

[0446] [2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine; and

[0447] 4-(1-Ethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-nicotinic acid methyl ester.

[0448] Methods for making the CRF antagonists described above are disclosed in the above-listed patents and published patent applications incorporated by reference herein.

[0449] In an alternative embodiment, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of:

[0450] a) abnormal circadian rhythm; and

[0451] b) depression.

[0452] The composition comprises an amount of a CRF antagonist effective to treat the condition in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Where the condition is depression, it is also treated with a second compound for treating depression, the second compound having an onset of action that is delayed with respect to that of the CRF antagonist.

[0453] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease that involves administering a CRF antagonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer, or prodrug thereof, in combination with a second, non-CRF antagonist compound for treating the disease. The second compound for treating the disease can be, for example, adenosine, alteplase, amiodarone, anagrelide, ardeparin, argatroban, atenolol, atorvastatin, benazepril, captopril, carvedilol, cerivastatin, clonidine, clopidrogrel, dalteparin, danaparoid, diltiazem, enalapril, fluvastatin, fosinopril, gemfibrozil, hydrochlorothiazide, irbesartan, lepirudin, lisinopril, lovastatin, oprelvekin, pravastatin, prazosin, quinapril, ramipril, saruplase, simvastatin, terazosin, valsartan, or verapamil.

[0454] In another aspect, the invention relates to treatment of migraine or non-migraine headache by administration of a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound that treats such condition. For example, it is possible to administer a CRF antagonist with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, with anti-emetics, with preparations containing ergotamine such as dihydroergotamine, or with agents that modulate serotonin receptors (including those that modulate the 5HT1B, 5HT1D, 5HT1F and 5HT2B receptors) or that mimic the effects of serotonin. Particular agents include sumatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, eletriptan, and almotriptan. Administration of these compounds is carried out using dosages and formulations that are well-known.

[0455] In another aspect, the invention relates to treatment of emesis using a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound for treating emesis. Examples of such non-CRF antagonist compounds for treating emesis include tachykinin antagonists, including Nk1 antagonists, (such as compounds described in WO 99/24423, EP 867182, EP 980324, and WO 99/24423) and 5HT3 antagonists (such as metoclopramide, granisetron, dolasetron, ondansetron and tropisetron).

[0456] The emesis that is treated can be of any type, including emesis induced by pregnancy, vestibular disorder, post-operative sickness, gastrointestinal obstruction, reduced gastrointestinal motility, visceral pain, migraine, change in intercranial pressure, chemotherapy, radiation, toxins, and opioid analgesics.

[0457] The invention also encompasses combined pharmaceutical compositions containing the CRF antagonist, a non-CRF antagonist as defined above, and below, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Examples of such compositions include, without limitation:

[0458] 1) a composition for treating abnormal circadian rhythm that contains effective amounts of a combination of a CRF antagonist and a non-CRF antagonist compound useful for treating abnormal circadian rhythm;

[0459] 2) a composition for treating depression that contains effective amounts of a combination of a CRF antagonist and a second compound for treating depression that has a delayed effect;

[0460] 3) a composition for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease that contains effective amounts of a CRF antagonist in combination with a second, non-CRF antagonist compound for treating the disease;

[0461] 4) a composition for treating migraine or non-migraine headache that contains effective amounts of a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound that treats such condition; and

[0462] 5) a composition for treating emesis that contains a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound for treating emesis.

[0463] Combination treatments according to the invention can be administered as part of the same pharmaceutical composition, or the active agents can be administered separately as part of an appropriate dose regimen designed to obtain the benefits of the combination therapy.

[0464] Acid addition salts of the CRF antagonists and other agents employed in the invention can be prepared in a conventional manner by treating a solution or suspension of the corresponding free base with one chemical equivalent of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid. Conventional concentration or crystallization techniques can be employed to isolate the salts. Illustrative of suitable acids are acetic, lactic, succinic, maleic, tartaric, citric, gluconic, ascorbic, benzoic, cinnamic, fumaric, sulfuric, phosphoric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, sulfamic, sulfonic acids such as methanesulfonic, benzene sulfonic, p- toluenesulfonic, and related acids.

[0465] The CRF antagonists and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and any second pharmaceutically active compounds, may be administered alone or in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, in either single or multiple doses. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers include inert solid diluents or fillers, sterile aqueous solutions, oils (e.g., peanut oil, sesame oil) and various organic solvents. The pharmaceutical compositions formed by combining the CRF antagonists and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be readily administered in a variety of dosage forms such as tablets, powders, lozenges, emulsions, oil soft gels, syrups, injectable solutions and the like. These pharmaceutical compositions can, if desired, contain additional ingredients such as flavorings, binders, excipients and the like. Thus, for purposes of oral administration, tablets containing various excipients such as sodium citrate, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate may be employed along with various disintegrants such as starch, methylcellulose, alginic acid and certain complex silicates, together with binding agents such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, sucrose, gelatin and acacia. Additionally, lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate and talc are often useful for tabletting purposes. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers in soft and hard filled gelatin capsules. Preferred materials for this include lactose or milk sugar and high molecular weight polyethylene glycols. When aqueous suspensions or elixirs are desired for oral administration, the essential active ingredient therein may be combined with various sweetening or flavoring agents, coloring matter or dyes and, if desired, emulsifying or suspending agents, together with diluents such as water, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerin and combinations thereof.

[0466] For parenteral administration, solutions containing the CRF antagonist or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in sesame or peanut oil, aqueous propylene glycol, or in sterile aqueous solution may be employed. Such aqueous solutions should be suitably buffered if necessary and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose. These particular aqueous solutions are especially suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration. The sterile aqueous media employed are all readily available by standard techniques known to those skilled in the art.

[0467] The effective dosages for the CRF antagonists employed in the methods of this invention will depend on the intended route of administration and factors such as the age and weight of the patient, as generally known to a physician. The dosages will also depend on the particular condition to be treated and will generally range from about 0.1 to about 300 mg/kg body weight of the patient per day, with administration carried out in single or divided dosages.

[0468] Methods that may be used to determine the CRF antagonist activity of the compounds employed to practice the invention are described e.g., in Endocrinology, 116, 1653-1659 (1985) and Peptides, 10, 179-188 (1985).

[0469] Methods that can be used to determine the CRF binding protein inhibiting activity of compounds employed to practice the invention are described in Brain Research, (1997), 745(1,2), 248-256. The binding activities of the CRF antagonists employed generally range from about 0.5 nanomolar to about 32 micromolar.

Claims

1. A method of treating a condition comprising administering a corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) antagonist in an amount effective to treat said condition, wherein said condition is selected from the group consisting of:

a) disorders that can be treated by altering circadian rhythm; and

b) depression, further wherein a second compound for treating depression is administered, said second compound for treating depression having an onset of action that is delayed with respect to that of said CRF antagonist.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said condition is selected from the group consisting of time zone change syndrome, seasonal affective disorder, irregular sleep-wake pattern, delayed sleep phase syndrome, advanced sleep phase syndrome, non-24 hour sleep wake disorder, light-induced clock resetting, REM sleep disorder, hypersomnia, parasomnia, narcolepsy, nocturnal enuresis, restless legs syndrome, sleep apnea, dysthymia and abnormal circadian rhythm associated with chronic administration and withdrawal of antidepressant agents.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said condition is depression, and wherein said second compound for treating depression is selected from the group consisting of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors, lithium, (&agr;2-adrenoreceptor agonists, 5HT1A inhibitors, and monoamine oxidase type A inhibitors.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said CRF antagonist is selected from the group consisting of 4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-3,6-dimethyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-pyridine;

butyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-ethyl-amino;

4-(butyl-ethylamino)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5,7-dihydro-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-6-one;

4-(1-ethylpropoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-6-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-pyrimidine;

N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,5-dimethyl-NN-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-pyrimidine-4,6-diamine;

[4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-3,6-dimethyl-pyridin-2-yl]-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-amine;

6-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-2,7-dimethyl-9-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7,9-dihydro-purin-8-one;

3-{(4-methyl-benzyl)-[3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amino}-propan-1-ol;

diethyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

2-butyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amino}-ethanol;

dibutyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl}-amine;

butyl-ethyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

butyl-ethyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfonyl- 1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

butyl-cyclopropylmethyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

di-1-propyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

diallyl-[6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

butyl-ethyl-[6-chloro-3-methylsulfanyl- 1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

butyl-ethyl-[6-methoxy-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

propyl-ethyl-[3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin4-yl]-amine;

4-(1-ethyl-propyl)-6-methyl-3-methylsulfanyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine;

n-butyl-ethyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

di-n-propyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

ethyl-n-propyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

diethyl-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

n-butyl-ethyl-[2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

2-{N-n-butyl-N-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amino}-ethanol;

4-(1-ethyl-propyl)-2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

n-butyl-ethyl-[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine;

2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidyl-4-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)amine;

butyl-[3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-4-yl]-ethylamine;

[3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4,b]pyridin-4-yl]-(1-methoxymethylpropyl)-amine;

4-(1-methoxymethylpropoxy)-3,6-dimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine;

(1-ethylpropyl)-[3,5,6-trimethyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-4-yl]-amine;

4-(1-ethyl propoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine;

4-(1-ethylpropoxy)-2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine;

4-(1-ethylpropoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromophenyl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine;

2,5,6-trimethyl-7-(1-propylbutyl)-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

1-(1-ethylpropyl)-6-methyl4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylamino)-1,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one;

9-(1-ethylpropyl)-2-methyl-6-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylamino)-7,9-dihydro-purin-8-one;

1-(1-ethylpropyl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-1,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one;

1-(1-ethylpropyl)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine;

1-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,6-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenoxy)-1,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one;

1-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,6-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylamino)-1,3-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-one;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-4,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,4-dihydro-2H-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazin-3-one;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-4,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,4-dihydro-2H-pyridol[3,4-b]pyrazin-3-one;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-4,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[3,4-b]pyrazine;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-2-oxo-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-[1,6]naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-2-oxo-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-[1,6]naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-3,4-dihydro-1H-[1,6]naphthyridin-2-one;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-[1,6]naphthyridine;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-7-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,6-diaza-naphthalene;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-4,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,6-diaza-naphthalene;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-3,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-3,4-dihydro-1H-3-oxa-[1,6]-naphthyridin-2-one;

1-(1-ethyl-propyl)-3,3,6-trimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine;

7-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine;

[2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

(1-ethyl-propyl)-[5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-amine;

7-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine;

[2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-ethyl-propyl-amine;

[6-bromo-5-bromomethyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

(1-ethyl-propyl)-[5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin yl]-amine;

[6-bromo-5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-methyl-amine;

7-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-5-methyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-b]pyridine;

4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyr imidine;

(±)-2,5-dimethyl-4-(tetrahydro-furan-3-yloxy)-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo-[3,2-d]pyrimidine;

2,5-dimethyl-4-(S)-(tetrahydro-furan-3-yloxy)-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo-[3,2-d]pyrimidine;

2,5-dimethyl-4-(1-propyl-butoxy)-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine;

4-sec-butylsulfanyl-2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine;

4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2,6-dimethyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido [2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-l H- pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido [2,3-b]pyrazine;

4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2-dihydro-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalen-4-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)- 1,6-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

(1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinolin-4-yl]-amine;

4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2,6-dimethyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

(butyl-ethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

(propyl-ethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

(diethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl )-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido [2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

(1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl )-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl )-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido [2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

(butyl-ethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

(propyl-ethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimid in-4-yl]-amine;

(diethyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

(1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine;

(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl )-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro- 1H-pyrido [2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-quinoline;

5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-1,2-dihydro-3-oxa-1, 8-diaza-naphthalen-4-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-1,6-dimethyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

(1-ethyl-propyl)-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-bromo-phenyl )-quinolin-4-yl]-amine;

4-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-2,6-dimethyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-5,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

4-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl )-quinoline;

5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl )-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

5-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl )-1,2-dihydro-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalen-4-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propoxy)-1,6-dimethyl-4-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

(1-ethyl-propyl )-[2-methyl-8-(2,6-dimethyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-quinolin-4-yl]-amine;

8-(1-hydroxymethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro- 1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

8-(1-hydroxymethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4- dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

8-(1-ethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl )-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

8-diethylamino-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

8-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one

8-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido [2,3-b]pyrazin-2-one;

8-(1-hydroxymethyl-propoxy)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

8-(1-hydroxymethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

8-(1-ethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

8-diethylamino-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido [2,3-b]pyrazine;

8-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

8-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-6-methyl4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine;

4-(1-hydroxymethyl-propoxy)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

4-(1-hydroxymethyl-propylamino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

4-(1-ethyl-propylamino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

4-diethylamino-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

4-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

4-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-2-methyl-8-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-quinoline;

5-(1-hydroxymethyl-propoxy)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

5-(1-hydroxymethyl-propylamino)-7-methyl- 1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

5-(1-ethyl-propylamino)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

5-diethylamino-5-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

5-(ethyl-propyl-amino)-7-methyl-1-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

8-(butyl-ethyl-amino)-6-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2H-3-oxa-1,8-diaza-naphthalene;

4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(1-(methoxymethyl)-1-(naphth-2-yl)methyl)-N-pr opylamino]thiazole;

oxalate of 4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-methoxyisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

oxalate of4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-methylisoquinol-5-y)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(1-methoxycarbonylmethylindol-5-yl)-N-p ropylamino]thiazole;

oxalate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-methoxy isoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

oxalate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-chloroisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

oxalate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-methoxyisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

4(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2[N-1methoxynaphth-2-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole

oxalate of 4-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-6-methoxyisoquinol-5-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

chlorahydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(2-ethoxynaphth-1-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole; chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2[N-(2,3-dimethylnaphth-1-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

chlorhydrate de 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(6-bromo-2-methoxynaphth-1-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(2,6-dimethylnaphth-1-yl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro-4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(1-(methoxymethyl)-1-(naphth-2-yl)methyl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

chlorhydrate of 4-(2-chloro4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-2-[N-(1 -(cyclopropyl)-1 -(naphth-2-yl )methyl)-N-propylamino]thiazole;

3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7(N-propyl-N-cyclopropanemethylamino)-pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine;

3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N-allyl-N-cyclopropanemethylamino)-pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine;

2-methylthio-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N,N-diallylamino)-pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine;

2-methylthio-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N-butyl-N-cyclopropanemethyl-amino)pyrazolo[2,3-alpyrimidine; 2_methylthio-3-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N-propyl-N-cyclopopanemethyl-amino) pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine;

2-methyl-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-methyl-7-(N,N-dipropylamino)-pyrazolo[2,3-a) pyrimidine;

3-[6-(dimethylamino)-3-pyridinyl-2,5-dimethyl-N,N-dipropylpyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidin-7-amine;

3-[6-(dimethylamino)-4-methyl-3-pyridinyl]-2,5-dimethyl-N,N-dipropyl-pyrazolo[2,3-a]pyrimidine-7-amine;

3-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-7-(N-propyl-N-methyloxyethylamino)-pyrazolo (2,3-a)pyrimidine;

7-(N-diethylamino)-2,5-dimethyl-3-(2-methyl-4-methoxyphenyl-[1,5-a]-pyrazolopyrimidine;

7-(N-(3-cyanopropyl)-N-propylamino-2,5,dimethyl-3-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-[1,5-a]-pyrazolopyrimidine;

[3,6-dimethyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-pyridin-4-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

[2-(4-chloro-2,6-dimethyl-phenoxy)-3,6-dimethyl-pyridin-4-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

cyclopropylmethyl-[3-(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-alpyrimidin-7-yl]-propyl-amine;

cyclopropylmethyl-[3-(2-methyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-propyl-amine;

cyclopropylmethyl-[3-(2,4-di-chloro-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-propyl-amine;

[3-(2-methyl-4-chloro-phenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-di-propyl-amine;

[2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4-dimethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine;

[2,5-dimethyl-3-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-(1-ethyl-propyl)-amine; and

4-(1-Ethyl-propylamino)-6-methyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethyl-phenoxy)-nicotinic acid methyl ester.

5. A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of a condition selected from the group consisting of:

a) abnormal circadian rhythm; and

b) depression;

comprising an amount of a CRF antagonist effective to treat said condition in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,

wherein where said condition is depression, said depression is treated with a second compound for treating depression, said second compound for treating depression having an onset of action that is delayed with respect to that of said CRF antagonist.

6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 5 for treatment of depression comprising an amount of a CRF antagonist effective to treat said depression, and said second compound for treating depression having an onset of action that is delayed with respect to that of said CRF antagonist.

7. A method for treating or preventing a cardiovascular disease comprising administering a CRF antagonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer, or prodrug thereof, in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound for treating said disease.

8. A method for treating migraine or non-migraine headache comprising administration of a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound that treats said headache.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said non-CRF antagonist compound is selected from the group consisting of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-emetics, ergotamine, and agents that modulate serotonin receptors or mimic the effects of serotonin.

10. A method for treating emesis comprising administration of a CRF antagonist in combination with a non-CRF antagonist compound for treating emesis.