Ecopipam is a synthetic benzazepine derivative drug that acts as a selective dopamine D₁

Dopamine receptor D1

Dopamine receptor D1, also known as DRD1, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DRD1 gene.- Function :This gene encodes the D1 subtype of the dopamine receptor. The D1 subtype is the most abundant dopamine receptor in the central nervous system. This G-protein-coupled receptor stimulates...

/D₅

Dopamine receptor D5

D dopamine receptor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the DRD5 gene.This gene encodes the D5 subtype of the dopamine receptor. The D5 subtype is a G-protein coupled receptor which stimulates adenylyl cyclase. This receptor is expressed in neurons in the limbic regions of the brain. It has a...

 receptor

Receptor (biochemistry)

In biochemistry, a receptor is a molecule found on the surface of a cell, which receives specific chemical signals from neighbouring cells or the wider environment within an organism...

 antagonist, with little affinity for either dopamine D₂-like or 5-HT₂ receptors. It has sedative

Sedative

A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....

, antipsychotic

Antipsychotic

An antipsychotic is a tranquilizing psychiatric medication primarily used to manage psychosis , particularly in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A first generation of antipsychotics, known as typical antipsychotics, was discovered in the 1950s...

 and anorectic

Anorectic

An anorectic or anorexic , also known as anorexigenic or appetite suppressant, is a dietary supplement and/or drug which reduces appetite, food consumption, and as a result, causes weight loss to occur.-List of anorectics:Numerous pharmaceutical compounds are marketed as appetite suppressants.The...

 effects, and was researched for human use although never approved for medical prescription, mainly because of side effects such as depression

Depression (mood)

Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...

 and anxiety

Anxiety

Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. The root meaning of the word anxiety is 'to vex or trouble'; in either presence or absence of psychological stress, anxiety can create feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness,...

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Chemical synthesis

Ecopipam can be synthesized from a simple tetralin

Tetralin

Tetralin is a hydrocarbon having the chemical formula C10H12. This molecule is similar to the naphthalene chemical structure except that one ring is saturated.The compound can be synthesized in a Bergman cyclization...

 derivative:

Clinical trials

Ecopipam is currently being used in a clinical trial conducted by the biotechnology company Psyadon for the treatment of Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Lesch–Nyhan syndrome , also known as Nyhan's syndrome, Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome and Juvenile gout, is a rare inherited disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase , produced by mutations in the HPRT gene located on X chromosome. LNS affects about...

, as well as for Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome is an inherited neuropsychiatric disorder with onset in childhood, characterized by multiple physical tics and at least one vocal tic; these tics characteristically wax and wane...

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