Structure-activity studies on the inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake in brain slices by compounds related to nipecotic acid.

Various N-methyl derivatives of nipecotic acid and related compounds were tested as inhibitors of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake into mini slices. N-Methylnipecotic acid, N,N-dimethylnipecotic acid, N-methylguvacine, and N-methylnicotinic acid were effective inhibitors. None of them, however, were as potent as nipecotic acid itself. All the effective inhibitors, including nipecotic acid, also inhibited the uptake of L-proline, but to a much lesser extent. Four of the test compounds produced a depressant action on cerebral cortical neurons, but even N-methylisoguvacine, the most potent in this respect, was considerably less active than GABA. None of the test compounds caused any clearly discernible changes in the gross behaviour or appearance of mice in the 1-h period following intramuscular injection. It was concluded that methylation of the N atom of nipecotic acid and its derivatives was unlikely to lead to the development of agents with greater experimental or therapeutic potential than that of nipecotic acid itself, if the action of the agent was dependent on its effects on GABA uptake.