Pharmacological studies on a new benzamide derivative, YM-09151-2, with potential neuroleptic properties.

The electrophysiological properties and cataleptogenicity of YM-09151-2 (N-[(2RS, 3RS)-1-benzyl-2-methyl-3-pyrrolidinyl]-5-chloro-2-methoxy-4-methylaminobenzamide) were studied in the cat. This drug inhibited the EEG arousal response to electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation with the same potency as that of haloperidol, whereas chlorpromazine revealed a more potent central depressant action. The duration of the afterdischarge induced by electrical stimulation of the amygdaloid nucleus was initially shortened and thereafter prolonged by both YM-09151-2 and haloperidol. However, YM-09151-2 was less effective than haloperidol and chlorpromazine in both augmenting the spindle bursts produced by electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus and antagonizing the inhibitory effect of L-DOPA on the caudate spindle, indicating a smaller effect of YM-09151-2 on the extrapyramidal dopaminergic system than that of the two neuroleptic drugs. In fact, YM-09151-2 produced no cataleptic behaviour in the cat even at a dose of 5 mg/kg (s.c.), although haloperidol and chlorpromazine caused catalepsy in doses of 0.5 and 5 mg/kg (s.c.), respectively. Sulpiride, chemically related to YM-09151-2, showed much weaker central actions than YM-09151-2. The results indicate that a new benzamide, YM-09151-2, has a potent neuroleptic effect with a slight central depressant activity and that the cataleptogenicity of the compound is weaker than that of haloperidol and of chlorpromazine.