Pharmacological and behavioral profile of N-(4-fluorophenylmethyl)-N-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)-N′-(4-(2-methylpropyloxy)phenylmethyl) carbamide (2R, 3R)-dihydroxybutanedioate (2:1) (ACP-103), a novel 5-hydroxytryptamine2A receptor inverse agonist

The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of N-(4-fluorophenylmethyl)-N-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)-N'-(4-(2-methylpropyloxy) phenylmethyl) carbamide (2R, 3R)-dihydroxybutanedioate (2:1) (ACP-103) are presented. A potent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(2A) receptor inverse agonist ACP-103 competitively antagonized the binding of [H-3] ketanserin to heterologously expressed human 5-HT2A receptors with a mean pK(i) of 9.3 in membranes and 9.70 in whole cells. ACP-103 displayed potent inverse agonist activity in the cell-based functional assay receptor selection and amplification technology (R-SAT), with a mean pIC(50) of 8.7. ACP-103 demonstrated lesser affinity (mean pK(i) of 8.80 in membranes and 8.00 in whole cells, as determined by radioligand binding) and potency as an inverse agonist (mean pIC(50) 7.1 in R-SAT) at human 5-HT2C receptors, and lacked affinity and functional activity at 5-HT2B receptors, dopamine D-2 receptors, and other human monoaminergic receptors. Behaviorally, ACP-103 attenuated head-twitch behavior (3 mg/kg p.o.), and prepulse inhibition deficits (1-10 mg/kg s.c.) induced by the 5-HT2A receptor agonist (+/-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride in rats and reduced the hyperactivity induced in mice by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor noncompetitive antagonist 5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine (dizocilpine maleate; MK801) (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg s.c.; 3 mg/kg p.o.), consistent with a 5-HT2A receptor mechanism of action in vivo and antipsychoticlike efficacy. ACP-103 demonstrated > 42.6% oral bioavailability in rats. Thus, ACP-103 is a potent, efficacious, orally active 5-HT2A receptor inverse agonist with a behavioral pharmacological profile consistent with utility as an antipsychotic agent.