Treatment of neurotransmitter-linked drug abuse

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The Biel patent describes numerous phenylalkylhydrazines, their preparation, and uses.
Their principal suggested use is as psychotherapeutics, specifically as inhibitors of the natural metabolic conversion or destruction of neurotransmitters in the brain by monoamine oxidase (MAO).
Such inhibitory activity, or MAOI, is considered to be anti-depressant, inasmuch as depletion of neurotransmitters may interfere with a customary sense of well being sufficiently to give rise to a feeling of depression.
MAOI is conducive to assertiveness, motivation, and self-confidence and to reducing anxiety, indecisiveness, perfectionism, and phobias.
Biel notes especially as "most potent" the MAOI activity of phenylalkylhydrazines with up to three carbon atoms in the straight portion of the hydrocarbon chain between the phenyl group and the substituted hydrazine residue, viz.
, the phenylethyl, phenylpropyl, and phenylbutyl hydrazines, including those with branched (iso-) or normal (n-) chains, and also those with possible substituents, such as lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or halogen in the phenyl group.
Biel indicates clinical improvement from administration of a specifically chosen phenylalkylhydrazine as evidenced by alertness, elevation of mood, and diminution of confusion, and by reduction in depressive attitudes.
He singles out phenylisopropylhydrazine or, more technically, N-(3-phenyl-2-propyl)-hydrazine as an example.
Also singled out by Biel for special recommendation are a half dozen additional single-N-substituted phenylalkylhydrazines: (3-p-methoxyphenyl-2-propyl)-hydrazine, (3-o-methylphenyl-2-propyl)-hydrazine, [3(3',4'-methylenedioxy)-phenyl-2-propyl]-hydrazine, (2-phenyl-1-propyl)-hydrazine, (4-phenyl-2-butyl)-hydrazine, and (3-m-chlorophenyl-2-propyl)-hydrazine.
Example 5 of the patent is drawn to production of phenylisopropylhydrazine; whereas Example 6 is drawn to its hydrochloride salt.
Examples 1 and 2 are similarly devoted to phenelzine (2-phenethyl)hydrazine and its similar salt