ARYLCYCLOHEXYLAMINES DERIVED FROM BTCP ARE POTENT INDIRECT CATECHOLAMINE AGONISTS

N-[1-(2-Benzo[b]thiophenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine (BTCP)-related molecu les were prepared by means of chemical modulation of the 3 rings which constitute this dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) uptake inhibito r. Tested in vitro (binding to the DA uptake complex and to the PCP re ceptor sites, inhibition of the synaptosomal uptake of DA and NE) and in vivo (locomotor activity in mice) these molecules showed good homog eneity of action. The newly prepared structures, although formally rel ated to the phencyclidine (PCP) structural model, no longer display si gnificant affinity for the PCP receptor. These compounds behave like a new series of indirect potent stimulants of the dopaminergic and nora drenergic systems leading to potential antidepressive compounds.