| abstract |
Piperidine compounds having the general formula (I), wherein R1 is a) a group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, phenyl, cycloalkylalkyl, cycloalkenylalkyl, phenylalkyl or diphenylalkyl linked to the piperidyl N-atom through an at least 2-membered spacer group or; b) a group having general formula (II), wherein X is CHR10, O, S, SO, SO2 or NR10, i) Z1 and Z2 are linked together in which case: Z1 is CH2, O or S; Z2 and Z3 are independently (CH2)n, n being 0 or 1, O or S or Z1 and Z2 may together represent a group -CH = CH-; or when Z3 is (CH2)n wherein n is 0, Z1 and Z2 may together represent a 3-membered divalent group; or ii) when R1 is a group as defined in b) Z1 and Z2 may also be unlinked, in which case: Z1 is substituent, Z2 is hydrogen and Z3 is (CH2)n wherein n is 0; show potent sigma receptor activity. Furthermore they show effect in animal models indicative of anxiolytic properties. Accordingly they are useful as medicines for the treatment of anxiety, psychosis, epilepsy, convulsion, movement disorders, motor disturbances, amnesia, cerebrovascular diseases, senile dementia of the Alzheimer type or Parkinson's disease. |