Neuropharmacological profile of MD 790501, a new benzamide derivative.

Using several classical screening procedures in different species MD 790501: (exo)-2,3 dimethoxy-N-[8-(phenylmethyl)-8-azabiocyclo [3.2.1]oct-3-yl] benzamide hydrochloride was shown to possess potent neuroleptic properties. The doses effective in the tests for neuroleptic activity were similar to or lower than those for heloperidol and clearly lower than those for bromopride, chlorpromazine, sulpiridie, sultopride and thioridazine. Compared with the reference compounds tested MD 790501 showed sedative, cataleptic and dyskinetic effects at doses relatively higher than those effective in tests for neuroleptic activity. MD 790501 possessed no noradrenolytic, anticholinergic, proconvulsant or anxiolytic activity. Its acute toxicity was in the same dose range as that of reference neuroleptics.