Zalospirone

Zalospirone is a psychoactive drug and serotonin receptor agonist that was developed by Pfizer in the 1980s. It is a member of the azapirone class of drugs and is closely related to other azapirones like buspirone and ipsapirone.

History

Zalospirone was first synthesized by Pfizer in the 1980s as part of a series of azapirones, a class of drugs known for their anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and antidepressant effects. Despite showing promise in early trials, zalospirone was never marketed.

Pharmacology

Zalospirone acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor, a subtype of the serotonin receptor. This action is believed to be responsible for its anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. Like other azapirones, zalospirone also has some affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor, although this action is much weaker than its effect on the 5-HT1A receptor.

Clinical significance

While zalospirone was never marketed, it has been used in scientific research to study the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in anxiety and depression. Its close relation to other marketed azapirones like buspirone also makes it of interest in the study of this class of drugs.

See also

• Azapirone
• 5-HT1A receptor
• Buspirone
• Ipsapirone

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