| abstract |
Aromatic amide compounds of the formula:n n wherein R₁, R₂, and R₃ are independently hydrogen, a lower alkyl or lower alkoxy group; Ar is an optionally substituted aromatic group; the groupn n is C=C or HC-CH; X is hydrogen, CH₂COOH or CH₂CONHAr; and Y is hydrogen or COOH; provided that when X is CH₂COOH or Y is COOH, the COOH may be taken together with the adjacent hydroxy group on the benzene ring to form a lactone ring by dehydration, a quinone form thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof have potent nerve growth factor (NGF) secretion inducing activity, and are thus useful as a drug for the treatment or prophylaxis of degenerative nervous system disorders such as senilic dementis, and Alzheimer's disease. |