A series of 3-[[(aryloxy)alkyl]piperidinyl]-1,2-benzisoxazoles was synthesized and evaluated as potential antipsychotic D2/5-HT2 antagonists. Most of these compounds showed potent antipsychotic-like activity in an apomorphine-induced climbing mouse paradigm, with many also showing preferential mesolimbic activity, as indicated by their weaker effects in an apomorphine-induced stereotypy model. In receptor binding assays, many displayed a moderate affinity for the D2 receptor coupled with a significantly greater affinity for the 5-HT2 receptor: a property that has been suggested as necessary for atypicality. From this series, compound 45, 1-[4-[3-[4-(6-fluoro-1,2-benzisoxazol-3-yl)-1- piperidinyl]propoxy]-3-methoxyphenyl]ethanone (iloperidone, HP 873), was further evaluated in a battery of in vivo and in vitro assays. This compound showed a 300-fold greater potency in inhibition of climbing than in inhibition of stereotypy or induction of catalepsy, and when evaluated chronically in an electrophysiological model, 45 caused a depolarization blockade of dopamine neurons in the A10 area of the rat brain but not in the A9 area. Additionally, it showed positive activity in a social interaction paradigm, suggesting potential efficacy against asociality, a component of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. In chronic ex vivo studies, 45, similar to clozapine, caused a down regulation of 5-HT2 receptors but had no effect on the number of D2 receptors. Compound 45 is currently undergoing clinical evaluation.

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