Patent Evaluation: Urethanes and O-methyloximes of 3-formyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine as ACh Agonists

Summary

Novelty: Tetrahydropyridines are disclosed which show ACh agonist activity. The compounds are potentially useful in the treatment of memory dysfunction, for example, in Alzheimer's disease.

Biology: Isolated guinea pig ileum is used to measure ACh activity using the selective muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists (atropine and hexamethonium). The compounds have a weaker diarrhoeic action than arecoline but equivalent hypothermic action indicating the CNS selectivity of the compounds.

Chemistry: Synthesis of the compounds is exemplified in seven cases and forms a subsidiary part of the claim. 3-Methooxyiminomethyl-1,2,5,6-tetra-hydropyridine-1-carboxylic acid diethylaminocarbonylmethyl ester is specifically claimed.