Prototypical selective phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. Prepn: BE 826923; R. Schmiechen et al., US 4193926 (1975, 1980 both to Schering AG). Selective enzyme inhibition and enhancement of cAMP accumulation in rat brain tissue: U. Schwabe et al., Mol. Pharmacol. 12, 900 (1976). Antidepressant mechanism of action study: H. Wachtel, Neuropharmacology 22, 267 (1983). Receptor binding study: H. H. Schneider et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 127, 105 (1986). Pharmacokinetics: W. Krause, G. Kühne, Xenobiotica 18, 561 (1988). Clinical evaluation in severe depression: F. Eckmann et al., Curr. Ther. Res. 43, 291 (1988). Pharmacology and efficacy in exptl autoimmune encephalomyelitis: N. Sommer et al., Nat. Med. 1, 244 (1995).
Antidepressant.