Repinotan
Repinotan (BAYx3702), an aminomethylchroman derivative, is a selective 5-HT1A receptor full agonist with high potency and efficacy. It has neuroprotective effects in animal studies, and was trialed in humans for reducing brain injury following head trauma. It was subsequently trialed up to phase II for treatment of stroke, but while side effects were mild and consisted mainly of nausea, repinotan failed to demonstrate sufficient efficacy to justify further clinical trials. However, repinotan continues to be investigated for other applications, and was found to be effective at counteracting the respiratory depression produced by morphine, though with slight reduction in analgesic effects. Medical uses Acute ischemic stroke Repinotan was originally developed by Bayer Healthcare AG (Wuppertal, Germany) as an oral treatment for depression. However, it was instead trialed as a candidate for reducing brain injury following head trauma. The drug was then examined as a preventative of secondary brain damage for ischemic stroke victims. Early trials showed repinotan's ability to reduce hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neuronal loss. Cortical tissue damage was also reduced. In addition, repinotan was shown to mitigate spatial learning deficits. However, trials were discontinued due to repinotan's efficacy being insufficient. Respiratory depression Repinotan has presently been found to be effective at stopping respiratory depression caused by morphine. In addition, it represses nociception at high doses, but enhances nociception at small doses (0.2 micrograms/kg). Repinotan may be applicable to Parkinson's, as it is able to reduce glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and thereby some cell death. Additional uses Another stroke medication trialed at the same time, picozotan, is similar to repinotan in that it is also a serotonin agonist. Other drugs included zonampanel, which acts as an AMPA receptor antagonist instead of a 5-HT1A receptor agonist and DP-b99. DP-b99 is a metal iron chelator. Side effects Repinotan's side effects during trials as a treatment for ischemic stroke consisted mainly of serotonergic side effects including nausea and vomiting. The most common side effect was headache. Neurological worsening, cerebral hemorrhage, and brain edema were the most common severe effects. However, repinotan was generally shown to be safe. Its current investigation as an antagonist for respiratory depression caused by morphine has shown there to be no serious cardiovascular side effects. However, a slight decrease in blood pressure was a more minor effect. Repinotan has been linked with pupil diameter reduction. Pharmacology Mechanism of action Repinotan HCI (BAYx3702) acts as a highly selective 5-HT1A receptor full agonist. It is blocked by the specific 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY 100135 and its primary metabolizer is CYP2D6. Ethnic differences are known to have an effect on CYP2D6. Repinotan is believed to operate through neuronal hyperpolarization. When repinotan first binds to both pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors, G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channels are activated. This causes hyperpolarization. Because hyperpolarization causes inhibition of neuron firing and less glutamate release, neurons are protected against overexcitation. This could explain repinotan's neuroprotective properties. In addition, the protein Bcl-2, the serotonergic glial growth factor S-100beta, and Nerve Growth Factor are affected by repinotan. Repinotan is