Inventors:
Ravindra B. Upasani - Foothill Ranch CA
David B. Fick - Foothill Ranch CA
Derk J. Hogenkamp - Carlsbad CA
Nancy C. Lan - South Pasadena CA
International Classification:
A61K 3158
Abstract:
The invention relates to 3-hydroxy, 17-(un)substituted derivatives of the androstane series and 3-hydroxy, 21-substituted derivatives of the pregnane series. These derivatives are capable of acting at a recently identified site on the GRC, thereby modulating brain excitability in a manner that will alleviate stress, anxiety, insomnia, mood disorders that are amenable to GRC-active agents (such as depression) and seizure activity. The steroid derivatives of this invention are those having the general structural Formula: wherein R, R , R , R , R , R , R , R , R , R and R are farther defined herein and the dotted lines are single or double bonds. The structure includes androstanes, pregnanes (R =methyl), 19-norandrostanes, and norpregnanes (R =H).