| abstract |
Aspects of the present invention are directed to structurally modified opioids (SMOs) that result in improved modulating activity at the NMDAR and improved PK and PD parameters over existing drugs with NMDAR modulating activity. The structural modifications of an opioid or opioid enantiomer that result in the SMOs can be obtained by starting the synthetic process de novo; by modifying the synthetic process for the opioid at any intermediate step during the synthesis of the racemate or of one enantiomer; or by modifying the structure of the opioid or opioid enantiomer after the synthesis. The nitric acid ester substitutions are of particular relevance, especially when associated to deuterated substitutions and/or halogen substitutions. |