Abstract:
Pyridyl-phtalazin diones having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and methoxy or wherein R1 and R2 together form methylenedioxy, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions containing an effective glycine B  antagonistic amount thereof, are useful in combatting neurological disorders associated with excitotoxicity and malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission in a living animal, including a human, in need thereof.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     New chemical compounds which are pyrido-phtalazin diones, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and their use against neurological disorders associated with excitotoxicity and malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART 
     Glutamate is probably the major excitatory transmitter in the central nervous system but is also likely to be involved in many pathological and excitotoxic processes. As such there is a great deal of interest in the development of glutamate antagonists for therapeutic use (see Danysz et al., 1995 for review). Glutamate activates three major types of ionotropic receptor, namely α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and several types of metabotropic receptors. Antagonism of NMDA receptors potentially has a wide range of therapeutic applications. Functional inhibition of NMDA receptors can be achieved through actions at different recognition sites such as the primary transmitter site, strychnine-insensitive glycine site (glycine B ), polyamine site, and phencyclidine site located inside the cation channel. 
     Receptor desensitisation may represent a physiological process serving as an endogenous control mechanism to prevent long term neurotoxic activation of glutamate receptors but allow their transient physiological activation. In the case of the NMDA receptor, the coagonist glycine is an endogenous ligand inhibiting such desensitisation via activation of the glycine B  site. Interestingly, ischaemia increases not only the concentration of extracellular glutamate but also that of glycine and, although this latter effect is less pronounced, it actually persists for much longer. Hence, some full glycine B  antagonists could restore normal synaptic transmission under such conditions by increasing NMDA receptor desensitisation to its physiological level. Indeed, it has been suggested on the basis of central administration in laboratory animals that glycine B  antagonists may offer a better therapeutic window than agents acting at other recognition sites of NMDA receptor complex. Unfortunately, poor pharmacokinetic properties of most glycine B  antagonists have, until very recently, excluded clear verification of this suggestion after systemic administration. However, some glycine B  antagonists have been reported to have very good therapeutic indices following systemic administration in models of hyperalgesia and as anxiolytics. 
     THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     We have now developed a series of tricyclic &#34;pyridophtalazin diones&#34;. Compounds of class I are structurally related to patented glycine B  antagonists of Zeneca (ICI, EPA 0 516 297 Al, 02.12.92). Class II compounds are N-oxide derivatives of these compounds and are not disclosed or suggested in the Zeneca patent. The class II compounds are also potent glycine B  antagonists in vitro and show a much better in vivo systemic availability and / or penetration of the blood brain barrier than class I compounds. Moreover, salt derivatives of these compounds, made for example by additon of choline and 4-tetramethylammonium (4-NH 3 ), improve bioavailability further. 
     The novel compounds of the present invention have predictable utility in the treatment of the following disorders. 1. Acute excitotoxicity such as ischaemia during stroke, trauma, hypoxia, hypoglycaemia and hepatic encephalopathy. 2. Chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer&#39;s disease, vascular dementia, Parkinson&#39;s disease, Huntington&#39;s disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, AIDS-neurodegeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Tourette&#39;s syndrome, motor neurone disease, mitochondrial dysfunction, Korsakoff syndrome, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. 3. Other disorders related to long term plastic changes in the central nervous system such as chronic pain, drug tolerance, dependence and addiction (e.g. opioids, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and alcohol), and tardive dyskinesia. 4. Epilepsy (generalised and partial complex seizures), schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, acute pain, spasticity, and tinnitus. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide new and more effective pyrido-phtalazin dione compounds, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and method of treating neurological disorders associated with excitotoxicity and malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission therewith. It is a further object of the invention to provide such novel compounds, compositions, and method which fulfill the foregoing theoretical requirements. Additonal objects will become apparent hereinafter, and still other objects of the invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention, then, comprises the following aspects, inter alia, singly or in combination: 
     A compound selected from those pyridyl-phtalazin diones having the following formula: ##STR2## wherein R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and methoxy or wherein R1 and R2 together form methylenedioxy, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof; such a compound wherein the salt is selected from a choline and a 4-tetramethyl ammonium salt thereof; such a compound which is selected from the group consisting of 
     4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b)-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-fluoro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     7,8-dichloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     7-bromo-8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, and 
     7-chloro-8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, and a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of any of the foregoing; and such 
     a compound selected from the group consisting of 
     4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     8-fluoro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     7,8-dichloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     7-bromo-8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, and 
     7-chloro-8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt. 
     Moreover, a pharmaceutical composition containing as active ingredient an effective glycine B  antagonistic amount of such a compound; such 
     a pharmaceutical composition containing as active ingredient an effective glycine B  antagonistic amount of such a compound in the form of a choline salt thereof; such 
     a pharmaceutical composition containing as active ingredient an effective glycine B  antagonistic amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of 
     4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-fluoro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     7,8-dichloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     7-bromo-8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, and 
     7-chloro-8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino-(4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of any of the foregoing; and such a pharmaceutical composition containing as active ingredient an effective glycine B  antagonistic amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of 
     4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt; 
     8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     8-fluoro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     7,8-dichloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     7-bromo-8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, and 
     7-chloro-8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt. 
     Further, a method of combatting neurological disorders associated with excitotoxicity and malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission in a living animal comprising the step of administering to a living animal in need thereof an effective glycine B  antagonistic amount of such a compound or pharmaceutical composition; such a method wherein the compound is in the form of a choline salt thereof; such a a method wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of 
     4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     8-fluoro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     7,8-dichloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, 
     7-bromo-8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, and 
     7-chloro-8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of any of the foregoing; and such a method of combatting neurological disorders associated with excitotoxicity and malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission in a living animal comprising the step of administering to a living animal in need thereof an effective glycine B  antagonistic amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of 
     4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     8-fluoro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     7,8-dichloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, 
     7-bromo-8-chloro-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt, and 
     7-chloro-8-bromo-4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino- 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salt. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following Discussion, Examples, and Pharmacology are given to illustrate the present invention, but are not to be construed as limiting. 
     METHODS AND RESULTS 
     Basic structure of class I and II tricyclic &#34;pyridophtalazin diones&#34; ##STR3## 
     R1/R2=H and/or Halogen 
     R1/R2=H and/or O--CH 3   
     R1/R2=H and/or Methylendioxy 
     CHEMISTRY 
     General procedure for preparation of dimethyl quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylate 1-oxides (3). 
     A cold (ice bath) solution of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde 1 (25 mM) and sodium (27 mM) in anhydrous methanol (40 ml) was treated during 30 min with a solution of dimethyl (diethoxyphosphinyl) succinate 2 (30 mM, prepared as described by S. Linke et al., Lieb. Ann. Chem.,1980(4), 542) in anhydrous methanol (10 ml). The resulting dark solution was stirred at 0°-5° C. for 1.5 h, the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The ethyl acetate was dried over sodium sulphate and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized from isopropanol to provide the title dimethyl quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylate 1-oxide 3 as an off white (or light yellow) powder. 
     Physical properties and  1  H-NMR spectral data of the compounds 3 are given in Tables 1 and 2 
     a. 5-Bromo-4-chloro-2-nitrobenzaldehyde (1f). 
     To a mixture of sulphuric acid (40 ml) and sodium nitrate (2.66 g, 31.3 mM) at 0°-5° C. was added 3-bromo-4-chlorobenzaldehyde (6.25 g, 28.5 mM). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 7 h and then diluted with ice water (300 ml). The precipitated solids were filtered, washed with water and dried to give a powder. Recrystallization of this material from the mixture of isopropanol and water (2:1) provided the title 2-nitrobenzaldehyde 1f (3.6 g, 51.5%) as a light yellow powder, m.p. 81°-82° C. 
     Analysis for C 7  H 3  BrClNO 3  : 
     Calculated (%): C 31.79 H 1.14 N 5.30 
     Found (%): C 31.55 H 0.98 N 5.09 
       1  H-NMR (CDCl 3 ),δ:8.22 (s,1H), 8.23 s,1H),10.39 (s,1H). 
     b. 4-Bromo-5-chloro-2-nitrobenzaldehyde (1 g). 
     Using a procedure (a) except starting with 4-bromo-3-chlorobenzaldehyde (2.97 g, 13.5 mM) the title compound 1 g was obtained (1.9 g, 53.0%) as a light yellow powder, m.p. 95°-98° C. 
     Analysis for C 7  H 3  BrClNO 3  : 
     Calculated (%): C 31.79 H 1.14 N 5.30 
     Found (%): C 31.60 H 1. 01 N 5.1 1 
       1  H-NMR (CDCl 3 ), δ: 8.02 (s,1H), 8.43 (s,1H), 10.39 (s,1H). 
     General procedure for preparation of dimethyl quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylates (7). 
     A solution of N-oxide 3 (10 mM) and phosphorus trichloride (30 mM) in anhydrous chloroform (100 ml) was refluxed for 7 h. Solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulphate and then evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was recrystallized from isopropanol to provide the title dimethyl quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylate 7 as an off white (or light yellow) powder. 
     Physical properties and  1  H-NMR spectral data of the compounds 7 are given in Tables 3 and 4. 
     General procedure for preparation of 4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxides (5). 
     To a stirred solution (or suspension) of dimethyl quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylate 1-oxide 3 (5 mM) in boiling ethanol (25 ml) under an argon atmosphere was added hydrazine hydrate (15 mM) and the mixture was refluxed for 3 h during which time a dark precipitate formed. After cooling to room temperature the reaction mixture was filtered and the collected solids were washed with ethanol and ether and dried to provide the hydrazine salt 4. This material was stirred at 70°-110° C. for 3 h in acetic acid (15 ml) and, after cooling to room temperature, the mixture was diluted with water (45 ml) and then filtered to collect the solids. The collected solids were washed with ethanol and dried to provide a dark-yellow solid. Several recrystallizations of this material from dimethylformamide provided the title pyridazino 4,5-b!quinoline 5-oxide 5 as an orange powder. 
     Physical properties and  1  H-NMR spectral data of the compounds 5 are given in Tables 5 and 6. 
     General procedure for preparation of 1,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinolines (9). 
     To a stirred solution (or suspension) of dimethyl quinoline -2,3-dicarboxylate 7 (5 mM) in boiling ethanol (25 ml) was added hydrazine hydrate (30 mM) and the mixture was refluxed for 8 h during which time a precipitate formed. After cooling to room temperature the reaction mixture was filtered and the collected solids were washed with ethanol and ether and dried to provide the hydrazine salt 8. This material was stirred at 70°-100° C. for 3 h in acetic acid (15 ml) and, after cooling to room temperature, the mixture was diluted with water (45 ml) and then filtered to collect the solids. The collected solids were washed with ethanol and ether and dried to provide the title pyridazino 4,5-b!quinoline 9 as a yellow powder. 
     Physical properties and  1  H-NMR spectral data of the compounds 9 are given in Tables 7 and 8. 
     General procedure for preparation of 4-hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline 5-oxide choline salts (6) and 1,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridazino 4,5-b!-quinoline choline salts (10). 
     To a stirred suspension of pyridazino 4,5-b!quinoline 9 or N-oxide 5 (10 mM) in methanol (50 ml) was added choline hydroxide (10.5 mM, 45 wt. % solution in methanol). The resulting solution was concentrated using a rotary evaporator and the solid residue was recrystallized from ethanol to provide the title choline salt 10 or 6 as a hygroscopic orange (or red) powder. Physical properties and  1  H-NMR spectral data of the compounds 6 and 10 are given in Tables 9, 10 and 11, 12 respectively. ##STR4## 
     
                                           TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________Dimethyl quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylate 1-oxides 3 prepared          Elemental analysis   Formula          Calculated (%)                   Found (%)                            mp   YieldCompd    R.sup.1 R.sup.2   (mw)   C  H  N  C  H  N  (°C.)                                 (%)__________________________________________________________________________3a  H H C.sub.13 H.sub.11 NO.sub.5          59.77             4.24                5.36                   59.84                      4.11                         5.31                            175-176                                 61.5   (261.2)3b  H Cl   C.sub.13 H.sub.10 CINO.sub.5          52.81             3.41                4.74                   52.80                      3.32                         4.78                            126-127                                 49.0   (295.7)3c  H Br   C.sub.13 H.sub.10 BrNO.sub.5          45.89             2.96                4.11                   45.57                      2.75                         4.00                            168-170                                 72.0   (340.2)3d  H F C.sub.13 H.sub.10 FNO.sub.5          55.86             3.60                5.01                   55.19                      3.38                         4.95                            194-196                                 49.0   (279.2)3e  Cl Cl   C.sub.13 H.sub.9 Cl.sub.2 NO.sub.5          47.30             2.75                4.24                   47.18                      2.62                         4.14                            183-186                                 41.0   (330.1)3f  Cl Br   C.sub.13 H.sub.9 BrClNO.sub.5          41.69             2.42                3.74                   41.39                      2.13                         3.65                            171-173                                 60.0   (374.6)3g  Br Cl   C.sub.13 H.sub.9 BrClNO.sub.5          41.69             2.42                3.74                   41.68                      2.25                         3.75                            206-208                                 62.5   (374.6)__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 2______________________________________.sup.1 H-NMR (CDCl.sub.3) spectral data of compounds 3Compd δ (ppm), J (Hz)______________________________________3a    3.98(s, 3H), 4.11(s, 3H), 7.66-8.05(m, 3H), 8.43(s, 1H), 8.75(dd, J.sub.1 =8.5, J.sub.2 =2.0, 1H)3b    3.98(s, 3H), 4.11(s, 3H), 7.71(dd, J.sub.1 =8.5, J.sub.2 =2.5, 1H), 7.91(d, J=8.5, 1H), 8.38(s, 1H), 8.74(d, J=2.5, 1H)3c    3.91(s, 3H), 4.07(s, 3H), 7.13(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2 =2.0, 1H), 7.44(d, J=2.0, 1H), 8.22(s, 1H), 8.58(d, J=9.5, 1H)3d    3.98(s, 3H), 4.11(s, 3H), 7.48-7.72(m, 2H), 8.31(s, 1H), 8.73(dd, J.sub.1 =10.0, J.sub.2 =5.0, 1H)3e    3.97(s, 3H), 4.10(s, 3H), 8.08(s, 1H), 8.28(s, 1H), 8.83(s, 1H)3f    3.97(s, 3H), 4.09(s, 3H), 8.26(s, 2H), 8.82(s, 1H)3g    3.97(s, 3H), 4.09(s, 3H), 8.06(s, 1H), 8.27(s, 1H),(02 9s,______________________________________ 1H) 
    
     
                                           TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________Dimethyl quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylates 7 prepared          Elemental analysis   Formula          Calculated (%)                   Found (%)                            mp   YieldCompd    R.sup.1 R.sup.2   (mw)   C  H  N  C  H  N  (°C.)                                 (%)__________________________________________________________________________7a  H H C.sub.13 H.sub.11 NO.sub.4          63.67             4.52                5.71                   63.48                      4.52                         5.63                            104-106                                 88.0   (245.2)7b  H Cl   C.sub.13 H.sub.10 ClNO.sub.4          55.83             3.60                5.01                   55.74                      3.59                         5.00                            152-154                                 90.0   (279.7)7c  H Br   C.sub.13 H.sub.10 BrNO.sub.4          48.17             3.11                4.32                   48.09                      3.05                         4.26                            155-157                                 81.5   (324.1)7d  H F C.sub.13 H.sub.10 FNO.sub.4          59.32             3.83                5.32                   59.23                      3.79                         5.26                            119-121                                 85.0   (263.2)7e  Cl Cl   C.sub.13 H.sub.9 Cl.sub.2 NO.sub.4          49.71             2.89                4.46                   49.56                      2.85                         4.41                            113-115                                 96.0   (314.1)7f  Cl Br   C.sub.13 H.sub.9 BrClO.sub.4          43.55             2.53                3.91                   43.60                      2.48                         3.88                            128-130                                 95.0   (348.6)7g  Br Cl   C.sub.13 H.sub.9 BrClO.sub.4          43.55             2.53                3.91                   43.47                      2.51                         3.87                            142-144                                 67.0   (348.6)__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 4______________________________________.sup.1 H-NMR (CDCl.sub.3) spectral data of compounds 7Compd δ (ppm), J (Hz)______________________________________7a    3.98(s, 3H), 4.06(s, 3H), 7.58-8.00(m, 3H), 8.21(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2 =2.0, 1H), 8.77(m, 2H), 8.77(s, 1H)7b    3.97(s, 3H), 4.06(s, 3H), 7.76(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2 =2.0, 1H), 7.90(d, J=2.0, 1H), 8.67(s, 1H)7c    3.97(s, 3H), 4.07(s, 3H), 7.90(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2 =2.0, 8.09(m, 2H), 8.66(s, 1H)7d    3.98(s, 3H), 4.07(s, 3H), 7.49-7.72(m, 2H), 8.20(dd, J.sub.1 =10, J.sub.2 =5.0, 1H), 8.69(s, 1H)7e    3.97(s, 3H), 4.04(s, 3H), 8.02(s, 1H), 8.31(s, 1H), 8.64(s, 1H)7f    3.98(s, 3H), 4.06(s, 3H), 8.24(s, 1H), 8.33(s, 1H), 8.68(s, 1H)7g    3.96(s, 3H), 4.04(s, 3H), 8.03(s, 1H), 8.53(s, 1H), 8.62(s,______________________________________ 1H) 
    
     
                                           TABLE 5__________________________________________________________________________4-Hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!quinoline 5-oxides 5prepared               Elemental analysis       Formula Calculated (%)                        Found (%)                                 mp   YieldMrz 2/    Compd   R.sup.1     R.sup.2       (mw)    C  H  N  C  H  N  (°C.)                                      (%)__________________________________________________________________________499 5a  H H C.sub.11 H.sub.7 N.sub.3 O.sub.3               57.65                  3.08                     18.33                        57.56                           2.93                              18.22                                 &gt;300 44.5       (229.2)502 5b  H Cl       C.sub.11 H.sub.6 ClN.sub.3 O.sub.3               50.11                  2.29                     15.94                        49.34                           2.29                              15.40                                 &gt;300 88.0       (263.6)514 5c  H Br       C.sub.11 H.sub.6 BrN.sub.3 O.sub.3               42.88                  1.96                     13.63                        42.57                           1.91                              13.49                                 &gt;300 78.0       (308.1)516 5d  H F C.sub.11 H.sub.6 FN.sub.3 O.sub.3               55.44                  2.44                     16.99                        53.44                           2.35                              16.90                                 297-298                                      37.0       (247.2)518 5e  Cl     Cl       C.sub.11 H.sub.5 Cl.sub.2 N.sub.3 O.sub.3               44.32                  1.69                     14.10                        44.17                           1.91                              14.34                                 &gt;300 16.0       (298.1)551 5f  Cl     Br       C.sub.11 H.sub.5 BrClN.sub.3 O.sub.3               38.57                  1.47                     12.27                        37.93                           1.33                              11.94                                 &gt;300 15.0       (342.5)568 5g  Br     Cl       C.sub.11 H.sub.5 BrClN.sub.3 O.sub.3               38.57                  1.47                     12.27                        38.17                           1.31                              12.00                                 &gt;300 17.0       (342.5)__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 6______________________________________.sup.1 H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6) spectral data of compounds 5δ (ppm), J (Hz)                       NH, OHCompd aromatic protons (and OCH.sub.3)                       (exchangeable)______________________________________5a    7.88-8.28(m, 2H),     10.65(br.s, 1H), 8.46-8.79(m, 2H), 9.07(s, 1H)                       12.00(br.s, 1H)5b    8.07(dd, J.sub.1 =9.0, J.sub.2 =2.5, 1H),                       12.05(br.s, 1H), 8.59(d, J=9.0, 1H), 8.69(d, J=2.5, 1H),                       14.60(br.s, 1H) 9.11(s, 1H)5c    8.27(dd, J.sub.1 =9.0, J.sub.2 =2.0, 1H),                       11.00(br.s, 1H), 8.60(d, J=9.0, 1H), 8.82(d, J=2.0, 1H),                       12.00(br.s, 1H) 9.00(s, 1H)5d    8.07 (ddd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2 =8.5, J.sub.3 =2.5,                       10.92(br.s, 1H), 8.36(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2 =2.5, 1H),                       12.00(br.s, 1H) 8.75(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2 =5.0, 1H), 9.02(s, 1H)5e    8.83(s, 1H), 8.90(s, 1H), 9.06(s, 1H)                       11.25(br.s, 1H),                       12.05(br.s, 1H)5f    8.80(s, 1H), 9.00(s, 1H), 9.01(s, 1H)                       12.06(br.s, 1H),                       14.28(br.s, 1H)5g    8.90(s, 1H), 9.01(s, 1H), 9.04(s, 1H)                       12.13(br.s, 1H),                       14.32(br.s, 1H)______________________________________ 
    
     
                                           TABLE 7__________________________________________________________________________1,4-Dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridazino 4,5-b!quinolines 9 prepared               Elemental analysis       Formula Calculated (%)                        Found (%)                                 mp   YieldMrz 2/    Compd   R.sup.1     R.sup.2       (mw)    C  H  N  C  H  N  (°C.)                                      (%)__________________________________________________________________________585 9a  H H C.sub.11 H.sub.7 N.sub.3 O.sub.2               61.97                  3.31                     19.71                        61.43                           3.45                              19.16                                 &gt;300 86.0       (213.2)501 9b  H Cl       C.sub.11 H.sub.6 ClN.sub.3 O.sub.2               53.35                  2.44                     16.97                        32.89                           2.28                              16.68                                 &gt;309 88.5       (247.6)503 9c  H Br       C.sub.11 H.sub.6 BrN.sub.3 O.sub.2               45.23                  2.07                     14.39                        44.74                           2.11                              14.09                                 &gt;300 82.0       (292.1)519 9d  H F C.sub.11 H.sub.6 FN.sub.3 O.sub.2               57.14                  2.60                     18.18                        56.73                           2.47                              17.99                                 &gt;300 84.0       (231.2)515 9e  Cl     Cl       C.sub.11 H.sub.5 Cl.sub.2 N.sub.3 O.sub.2               46.84                  1.79                     14.90                        46.44                           1.70                              14.87                                 &gt;300 82.5       (282.1)539 9f  Cl     Br       C.sub.11 H.sub.5 BrClN.sub.3 O.sub.2               40.46                  1.54                     12.87                        40.16                           1.42                              12.88                                 &gt;300 69.5       (326.5)538 9g  Br     Cl       C.sub.11 H.sub.5 BrClN.sub.3 O.sub.2               40.46                  1.54                     12.87                        40.23                           1.40                              12.98                                 &gt;300 88.0       (326.5)__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 8______________________________________.sup.1 H-NMR (DMSO-d.sub.6) spectral data of compounds 9δ (ppm), J (Hz)                        NHCompd aromatic protons       (exchangeable)______________________________________9a    7.76-8.16(m, 2H), 8.22-8.47(m, 2H),                        11.60(br.s, 2H) 9.30(s, 1H)9b    8.02(dd, J.sub.1 =9.0, J.sub.2 =2.5, 1H),                        11.60(br.s, 2H) 8.28(d, J=9.0, 1H), 8.52(d, J=2.5, 1H), 9.26(s, 1H)9c    8.16(m, 2H), 8.60(br.s, 1H), 9.25(s, 1H)                        11.55(br.s, 2H)9d    7.93(ddd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2(H,F) =9.0, J.sub.3 =2.5,                        11.90(br.s, 2H) 8.18(dd, J.sub.1(H,F) =9.5, J.sub.2 =2.5, 1H), 8.36(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2(H,F) =5.5, 1H), 9.24(s, 1H)9e    8.47(s, 1H), 8.67(s, 1H), 9.22(s, 1H)                        11.60(br.s, 2H)9f    8.52(s, 1H), 8.91(s, 1H), 9.28(s, 1H)                        11.65(br.s, 2H)9g    8.68(s, 1H), 8.71(s, 1H), 9.26(s, 1H)                        11.70(br.s, 2H)______________________________________ 
    
     
                                           TABLE 9__________________________________________________________________________4-Hydroxy-1-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridazino 4,5-b!quinoline 5-oxide cholinesalts 6 prepared              Elemental analysis              Calculated for       Formula              6 × H.sub.2 O* (%)                       Found (%)                                mp   YieldMrz 2/    Compd   R.sup.1     R.sup.2       (mw)   C  H  N  C  H  N  (°C.)                                     (%)__________________________________________________________________________577 6a  H H C.sub.16 H.sub.20 N.sub.4 O.sub.4              54.84                 6.32                    15.99                       54.76                          6.32                             15.86                                179-180                                     52.5       (332.4)576 6b  H Cl       C.sub.16 H.sub.19 ClN.sub.4 O.sub.4              49.93                 5.50                    14.55                       49.31                          5.47                             14.24                                185-188                                     87.5       (366.8)570 6c  H Br       C.sub.16 H.sub.19 BrN.sub.4 O.sub.4              44.75                 4.92                    13.04                       44.85                          4.93                             12.36                                191-193                                     71.5       (411.4)571 6d  H F C.sub.16 H.sub.19 FN.sub.4 O.sub.4              51.19                 5.63                    14.92                       51.74                          5.73                             14.95                                201-203                                     27.0       (366.4)574 6e  Cl     Cl    6f  Cl     Br    6g  Br     Cl__________________________________________________________________________ *x = 1.0 (a, b, c) 0.5 (d) 
    
     
                       TABLE 10______________________________________.sup.1 H-NMR (CD.sub.3 OD) spectral data of choline salts 6δ (ppm), J (Hz)Compd. choline protons  aromatic protons______________________________________6a    3.20(s, 9H), 3.47(m, 2H),                  7.69-8.00(m, 2H), 3.98(m, 2H)      8.18(d, J=8.0, 1H),                  8.59(s, 1H), 8.76(d, J=8.5, 1H)6b    3.22(s, 9H), 3.50(m, 2H),                  7.88(dd, J.sub.1 =9.0, J.sub.2 =2.5, 1H), 4.01(m, 2H)      8.27(d, J=2.5, 1H), 8.52(s, 1H),                  8.76(d, J=9.0, 1H)6c    3.20(s, 9H), 3.48(m, 2H),                  7.99(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, 3.99(m, 2H)      J.sub.2 =2.0, 1H), 8.41(d, J=2.0, 1H),                  8.53(s, 1H), 8.64(d, J=9.5, 1H)6d    3.22(s, 9H), 3.51(m, 2H),                  7.64-7.98(m, 2H), 8.62(s, 1H), 4.02(m, 2H)      8.87(dd, J.sub.1 =10.0, J.sub.2 =5.0, 1H)6e6f6g______________________________________ 
    
     
                                           TABLE 11__________________________________________________________________________1,4-Dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyridazino 4,5-b!quinoline choline salts 10prepared               Elemental analysis               Calculated for       Formula 6 × H.sub.2 O* (%)                        Found (%)                                 mp   YieldMrz 2/    Compd   R.sup.1     R.sup.2       (mw)    C  H  N  C  H  N  (°C.)                                      (%)__________________________________________________________________________604 10a H H C.sub.16 H.sub.20 N.sub.4 O.sub.3               54.26                   7.59                     14.06                        54.23                           7.39                              14.25                                 102-110                                      82.0       (316.36)596 10b H Cl       C.sub.16 H.sub.19 ClN.sub.4 O.sub.3               54.08                   5.53                     15.76                        54.10                           5.55                              15.61                                 189-191                                      84.0       (350.8)586 10c H Br       C.sub.16 H.sub.19 BrN.sub.4 O.sub.3               43.64                   5.49                     12.72                        44.07                           5.14                              12.73                                 234-236                                      61.0       (395.3)572 10d H F C.sub.16 H.sub.19 FN.sub.4 O.sub.3               52.16                  15.20                      5.74                        52.08                           6.23                              15.19                                 229-230                                      95.0       (334.4)574 10e Cl     Cl       C.sub.16 H.sub.18 Cl.sub.2 N.sub.4 O.sub.3               47.65                   4.99                     13.89                        47.24                           5.03                              13.60                                 205-208                                      83.0       (385.3)598 10f Cl     Br       C.sub.16 H.sub.18 BrClN.sub.4 O.sub.3               42.92                  4.5                     12.51                        42.78                           4.60                              12.44                                 207-209                                      92.0       (429.7)597 10g Br     Cl       C.sub.16 H.sub.18 BrClN.sub.4 O.sub.3               42.92                  4.5                     12.51                        42.66                           4.57                              12.37                                 201-203                                      95.0       (429.7)__________________________________________________________________________ *x = 0.25 (d) 1.0 (d,e) 2.5 (c) 
    
     
                       TABLE 12______________________________________.sup.1 H-NMR (CD.sub.3 OD) spectral data of choline salts 10δ (ppm), J (Hz)Compd. choline protons  aromatic protons______________________________________10a   3.21(s, 9H), 3.51(m, 2H),                  7.64-8.57(m, 4H), 4.01(m, 2H)      9.17(s, 1H)10b   3.25(s, 9H), 3.52(m, 2H),                  7.89(dd, J.sub.1 =9.0, J.sub.2 =2.5, 1H), 4.02(m, 2H)      8.23(d, J=2.5, 1H),                  8.34(d, J=9.0, 1H), 9.13(s, 1H)10c   3.22(s, 9H), 3.47(m, 2H),                  7.99(dd, J.sub.1 =9.0, J.sub.2 =2.0, 1H), 3.97(m, 2H)      8.26(d, J=9.0, 1H),                  8.41(d, J=2.0, 1H), 9.09(s, 1H)10d   3.20(s, 9H), 3.49(m, 2H),                  7.64-7.81(m, 2H), 3.98(m, 2H)      8.39(dd, J.sub.1 =9.5, J.sub.2 =5.0, 1H),                  9.12(s, 1H)10e   3.22(s, 9H), 3.51(m, 2H),                  8.46(s, 1H), 8.55(s, 1H), 4.02(m, 2H)      9.14(s, 1H)10f   3.22(s, 9H), 3.50(m, 2H),                  8.53(s, 1H), 8.64(s, 1H), 4.00(m, 2H)      9.13(s, 1H)10g   3.22(s, 9H), 3.50(m, 2H),                  8.43(s, 1H), 8.73(s, 1H), 4.02(m, 2H)      9.13(s, 1H)______________________________________ PHARMACOLOGY 
    
     In vitro 
     Receptor Binding Studies 
     Membrane preparation and protein determination 
     Tissue preparation was performed according to Foster and Wong (1987). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250g) were decapitated and their brains were removed rapidly. The cortex was dissected and homogenised in 20 volumes of ice-cold 0.32M sucrose using a glass-Teflon homogenizer. The homogenate was centrifuged at 1000×g for 10 min. The pellet was discarded and the supernatant centrifuged at 20,000×g for 20 min. The resulting pellet was resuspended in 20 volumes of distilled water and centrifuged for 20 min at 8000×g. Then the supernatant and the buffy coat were centrifuged three times (48,000× g for 20 min) in the presence of 5 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4. All centrifugation steps were carried out at 4° C. After resuspension in 5 volumes of 5 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4 the membrane suspension was frozen rapidly at -80° C. until the day of assay. On the day of assay the membranes were thawed and washed four times by resuspension in 5 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4 and centrifugation at 48,000× g for 20 min. The final pellet was suspended in assay buffer. 
     The amount of protein in the final membrane preparation was determined according to the method of Lowry (1951) with some modifications (Hartfree, 1972). 50 μl of Protein samples (in triplicates) were diluted to 1 ml with distilled water and treated with 0.9 ml of a solution containing 2 g potassium sodium tartrate and 10 g Na 2  CO 3  in 500 ml 1N NaOH and 500ml water. Blank and standard (with bovine serum albumin) were set up in the same way. The tubes were placed in a water bath at 50° C. for 10 min. and cooled at room temperature. 100 μl of a solution containing 2 g potassium sodium tartrate and 1 g CuSO 4  x 5 H 2  O in 90 ml water and 10 ml 1N NaOH were added. The samples were left at room temperature for at least 10 min., then 3 ml of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (1 ml of reagent diluted with 15 ml water) was added rapidly during mixing. The tubes were again heated at 50° C. for 10 min. and cooled to room temperature. Absorbencies were then read in 1 cm cuvets at 650 nm. The final protein concentration used for our studies was between 100 and 250 μg/ml. 
     Incubation in both binding assays was terminated using a Millipore filter system. The samples, all in triplicate, were rinsed three times with 2.5 ml ice cold assay buffer over glass fibre filters obtained from Schleicher &amp; Schuell under a constant vacuum. Following separation and rinse the filters were placed into scintillation liquid (5 ml; Ultima Gold) and radioactivity retained on the filters was determined by using conventional liquid scintillation counter (Hewlett Packard, Liquid Scintillation Analyser). `Total binding` was the absolute amount of radioligand bound in the absence of any additives whereas `non-specific` binding was determined in the presence of a high concentration of competitor. 
       3  H!5,7-DCKA binding assay 
     Experiments were performed according to the methods modified from previous groups (Canton et al., 1991; Yoneda et al., 1993). Membranes were suspended and incubated in 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4. Incubation time was 45 min at 4° C. Non-specific binding of   3  H!5,7-DCKA was defined by the addition of unlabeled glycine at 0.1 mM. The stop-solution contained 10 mM Tris-HCl and 10 mM magnesium sulphate, pH 7.4. Filtration was performed as rapidly as possible. Displacement experiments were performed with a fixed   3  H!5,7-DCKA concentration of 10 nM. Test compounds were diluted in water or DMSO and added in at least 5 different concentrations. 
       3  H!glycine binding assay 
       3  H!glycine binding assays were performed according to the method described by Kessler and co-workers (1989). Rat cortical membranes were prepared as previously described and the final pellet was suspended in 50 mM Tris-acetate, pH 7.4. At least 5 different concentrations of test compounds were incubated with 2OnM   3  H!glycine for 30 min at 4° C. in the presence of 100 μM strychnine. All compounds were dissolved in water or DMSO, respectively. Non-specific binding was determined by including 100 μM glycine in the incubation mixture. The incubation was terminated by diluting the samples with 2 ml of stop solution (50 mM Tris-HCl including 10 mM magnesium sulphate, pH 7.4, cooled to &lt;2° C.) followed by a further rinse with 2.5 ml buffer. Filtration was performed as rapidly as possible. 
     Results 
     Eight of the tested compounds had IC 50  s in the   3  H!-DCKA assay≦1 μM (see table 13). The potency of six selected compounds in the   3  H!-glycine assay appears at first sight to be greater but this is not reflected in large differences in Kds (not shown). Of the pairs of compounds of particular interest, class II compounds had a greater affinity than class I compounds in the   3  H!-DCKA assay. This difference was not so evident in the   3  H!-glycine assay. 
     
                       TABLE 13a______________________________________                            .sup.3 H! GlycMrz                    .sup.3 H! DCKA                           ine2/        Substance   IC.sub.50 μM                           IC.sub.50 μM______________________________________499       II          16.0501       8-Cl-I      0.120     0.080502       8-Cl-II     0.020     0.013503       8-Br-I      0.250     0.013514       8-Br-II     0.010     0.004519       8-F-I       1.100     0.015516       8-F-II      0.300     0.017515       7,8-DiCl-I  0.530518       7,8-DiCl-II 0.650______________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 13b______________________________________Mrz                     .sup.3 H! DCKA2/          Substance  IC.sub.50 μM______________________________________572         8-F-I (Chol)                  1.14571         8-F-II (Chol)                  0.32569         8-Cl-I (Chol)                  0.97576         8-Cl-II (Chol)                  0.45______________________________________ 
    
     Patch clamp 
     Methods 
     Superior colliculi were obtained from rat embryos (E20 to E21) and were then transferred to calcium and magnesium free Hank&#39;s buffered salt solution (Gibco) on ice. Cells were mechanically dissociated in 0.05% DNAase / 0.3% ovomucoid (Sigma) following a 15 minute pre-incubation with 0.66% trypsin / 0.1% DNAase (Sigma). The dissociated cells were then centrifuged at 18G for 10 minutes, resuspended in minimum essential medium (Gibco) and plated at a density of 200,000 cells cm onto poly-L-lysine (Sigma)-precoated plastic petri dishes (Falcon). The cells were nourished with NaHCO 3  /HEPES-buffered minimum essential medium supplemented with 5% foetal calf serum and 5% horse serum (Gibco) and incubated at 37° C. with 5%CO 2  at 95% humidity. The medium was exchanged completely following inhibition of further glial mitosis with cytosine-β-D-arabinofuranoside (20 μM Sigma) after about 7 days in vitro. Thereafter the medium was exchanged partially twice weekly. The superior colliculus culture was chosen for these experiments as it provides very stable recording conditions which are an absolute prerequisite for voltage-dependency and kinetic experiments. Moreover, the relatively small neurones (soma 15-20 μm φ) are ideally suited to minimise problems of buffered diffusion for concentration clamp experiments. 
     Patch clamp recordings were made from these neurones with polished glass electrodes (4-6 mΩ) in the whole cell mode at room temperature (20°-22° C.) with the aid of an EPC-7 amplifier (List). Test substances were applied by switching channels of a custom made fast superfusion system with a common outflow (10-20 ms exchange times). The contents of the intracellular solution were as follows (mM): CsCl (120), TEACl (20), EGTA (10), MgCl 2  (1), CaCl 2  (0.2), glucose (10), ATP (2), cAMP (0.25); pH was adjusted to 7.3 with CsOH or HCl. The extracellular solutions had the following basic composition (mM): NaCl (140), KCl (3), CaCl 2  (0.2), glucose (10), HEPES (10), sucrose (4.5), tetrodotoxin (TTX 3*10-4). For most experiments glycine (1 μM) was present in all solutions. Experiments to test the glycine-dependence of the tricyclic &#34;pyrido-phtalazin diones&#34; were performed in the continuous presence of increasing concentrations of glycine (1-10 μM). 
     Results 
     Five pairs of tricyclic &#34;pyrido-phtalazin diones&#34; had IC 50  s against inward currents to NMDA (200 μM) in the low μM range and class II compounds were generally about 2-3 times more potent than class I compounds (table 14a). The most potent of these were Mrz 2/502 and Mrz 2/514. This effect was mediated at the glycine B  site as evidenced by the parallel shift in the concentration-response curves in the presence of increasing glycine concentrations. Thus the Kbs of Mrz 2/502 as assessed according to the Cheng-Prusoff relationship were similar in glycine 1, 3 and 10 μM (80, 124 and 118 nM respectively). Furthermore, the effects of Mrz 2/501 and 2/502 were not voltage-dependent. All compounds tested were about three to ten times more potent against steady-state currents than against peak currents. Choline derivatives had similar potencies to the free acids in vitro (Table14b). 
     In contrast, three of these potent glycine, antagonists were only very weak antagonists of inward currents to AMPA (100 μM). Mrz 2/502, 2/514 and 2/516 had IC 50  s against peak AMPA induced currents of 25, 73 and 18 μm respectively but were essentially inactive against plateau currents all IC 50  s&gt;100 μM (table 14a). This profile of action, although very weak, is typical for competitive AMPA receptor antagonists which preferentially block the peak non-desensitised state, low affinity state of the receptor (see Parsons et al., 1994). 
     
                       TABLE 14a______________________________________             Peak    Plateau                           PeakMrz               NMDA    NMDA  AMPA  Plateau AMPA2/     Substance  IC.sub.50 μM                     IC.sub.50 μM                           IC.sub.50 μM                                 IC.sub.50 μM______________________________________585    I          65.9    19.1499    II         51.2    13.8501    8-Cl-I     2.3     0.7502    8-Cl-II    0.8     0.3   25.0  150.0503    8-Br-I     1.7     0.6514    8-Br-II    0.5     0.2   72.7  307.0519    8-F-I      18.0    5.8516    8-F-II     6.3     1.6   17.6  &gt;100515    7,8-DiCl-I 3.7     0.9518    7,8-DiCl-II             3.8     0.8539    7-Cl,8-Br-I             5.3     0.7551    7-Cl,8-Br-II             2.4     0.6538    7-Br,8-Cl-I             93.9    2.5568    7-Br,8-Cl-II             10.0    1.5554    8-O-CH.sub.3 -I             170     36.2______________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 14b______________________________________Mrz                   Peak NMDA Plateau NMDA2/      Substance     IC.sub.50 μM                           IC.sub.50 μM______________________________________569     8-Cl-I (Chol) 2.0       0.5576     8-Cl-II (Chol)                 1.1       0.5586     8-Br-I (Chol) 2.2       0.6570     8-Br-II (Chol)                 0.6       0.1572     8-F-I (Chol)  12.4      3.5571     8-F-II (Chol) 4.9       1.0578     8-O-CH.sub.3 -II (Chol)                 101       7.7575     7-O-CH.sub.3 -I (Chol)                 94.0      14.5______________________________________ 
    
     Excitotoxicity in vitro 
     Methods 
     Isolation of cortical neurones was similar to that described for patch clamp recordings except for the use of foetal rats at 17-19 days gestation. Neurones were plated in 24-multiwell (Greiner) at a density of 300,000 cells/well coated with poly-D-lysine 0.025 mg/ml. Cells were cultured in Dulbecco&#39;s modified essential medium (DMEM, GIBCO) supplemented with 10% heat inactivated foetal calf serum (GIBCO). Cultures were maintained at 37° C. at 5% CO 2 . The medium was changed first after one week and then every 3 days by replacing half of the medium with fresh medium. Cultures aged 17 days were used for experiments. 
     Exposure to EAA was performed in serum-free MEM-N2 medium (Bottenstein 1979) containing 0.5 mM NMDA/1 μM glycine and the drug to be tested. Cells were pre-incubated with drugs and 1 μM glycine for 15 minutes before addition of NMDA. After 24 h the cytotoxic effect was morphologically examined under a phase contrast microscope and biochemically quantitified by measuring the efflux of LDH. 
     The activity of LDH was determined in the supernatant after 24 h according to the method of Wroblewski and La Due (1955). Briefly, 0.1 ml of the supernatant was added to 0.9 ml sodium-phosphate buffer (pH=7.5) containing sodium pyruvate (22.7 mM) and NADH (0.8 mg/10 ml) at room temperature. The conversion of pyruvate to lactate was recorded at 340 nm over 10 minutes in a Kontron Spectrophotometer. 
     Results 
     Full concentration-response curves are not yet available. However, low μM concentrations of Mrz 2/501 and Mrz 2/502 were effective neuroprotectants in vitro, with Mrz 2/502 seeming to be more potent in this regard (see table 15). 
     
                       TABLE 15______________________________________                 Cytotoxicity inMrz                   vitro2/           Substance                 IC.sub.50 μM______________________________________501          8-Cl-I   &lt;5502          8-Cl-II  &lt;&lt;5503          8-Br-I   &gt;20______________________________________ 
    
     In vivo 
     Anticonvulsive activity 
     Aim 
     To assess NMDA receptor antagonistic properties of the tested agents by assessing anticonvulsive effects. Additionally the role of organic acid transporters in the elimination from the brain of tested agents was assessed by using an inhibitor, Probenicid, on the duration of anticonvulsive activity. 
     Methods 
     Male albino Swiss mice (19-21 g) housed 10-15 per cage were used for the NMDA lethality test (Leander et al., 1988). For pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions male albino Swiss mice (25-34 g.) housed 40 per cage (58×38×20 cm) were used while in the maximal electroshock (MES) and motor impairment tests NMR female mice (18-28 g) housed 5 per cage were employed. All animals were kept with water and food ad libittum under a 12-h light-dark cycle (light on at 6 a.m.), and at a controlled temperature (20°±0.5° C.). All experiments were performed between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tested agents were injected 15 min. i.p before the induction of convulsions if not stated otherwise (see below). Mrz 2/502 was dissolved in saline added with NaOH. Most other agents were dissolved in the following solution: 0.606 g Tris; 5.0 g. glucose; 0.5 g. Tween 80; and 95 ml water. The choline and tetramethylammonium salts were dissolved in distilled water. 
     In the NMDA-induced convulsions test in mice, a dose-response relationship for NMDA was first performed to determine the ED 97  dose which was then used for testing of antagonistic properties. After injection of the ED 97  dose of NMDA the animals were placed in a small cage (20×28×14 cm) and observed for 20 min. Death preceded by clonic convulsions and by tonic seizures was the pharmacological end-point. 
     Pentylenetetrazol was injected at a dose of 90 mg/kg (i.p). The presence of general tonic convulsions was then scored for 30 min as this parameter is more sensitive to NMDA receptor antagonists than clonic convulsions. The pharmacological end-point was taken as the presence of tonus in the hind limbs with stretching. 
     MES (100 Hz, 0.5 sec shock duration, 50 mA shock intensity, 0.9 ms impulse duration, Ugo Basile) was applied through corneal electrodes. The presence of tonic convulsions was scored (tonic extension of hind paws with minimum angle to the body of 90°). In an additional experiment mice were injected with Probenicid (200 mg/kg) 30 min before administration of the tested agents to assess the role of organic acid transport in elimination (duration of action). The aim was to obtain ED 50  s for all parameters scored using the Litchfield Wilcoxon (1949) test for quantal dose responses. 
     Results 
     Of the compounds tested, only four compounds, all class II, were effective when given i.p. in the M.E.S. test (Mrz 2/499, Mrz 2/502, Mrz 2/516 and Mrz 2/514 see table 16a). The associated class I compounds were inactive. All four compounds apparently had very short half lives in vivo. The PTZ test seemed to be a more sensitive model for activity of glycine B  antagonists given i.p. and, indeed, the same class II compounds were active at 2-4 fold lower doses whereas class I compounds remained inactive (table 16a). 
     The choline salts of these same N-oxide derivatives (structures II) had clear anticonvulsive activity in all three models, while their non-N-oxide derivatives were either inactive, or weak (Table 16b). Moreover it seems that choline salts have a longer duration of action. Probenecid injection prolonged considerably the duration of anticonvulsive action of all agents tested. For example the half lives of 2/514 and 2/570 were around 40 and 80 minutes respectively in the absence of probenicid. In the presence of probenicid the half lives were prolonged to around 180 and 210 minutes respectively. Thus, it seems that organic acids transport in the choroid plexus out of the brain plays an important role in the short duration of action of the compounds tested.. Probenecid at the dose used (200 mg/kg) has no independent effect on MES-induced convulsions per se. 
     
                       TABLE 16a______________________________________Mrz                MES i.p.  NMDA i.p.                                PTZ i.p.2/       Substance (ID.sub.50 mg/kg)                        (ID.sub.50 mg/kg)                                (ID.sub.50 mg/kg)______________________________________585      I         &gt;100.0    58.9    59.0499      II        87.0              18.6501      8-Cl-I    &gt;100.0    &gt;100.0  &gt;40.0502      8-Cl-II   47.6      26.0    8.3503      8-Br-I    &gt;100.0    &gt;100.0  &gt;100.0514      8-Br-II   20.2      99.0    12.8519      8-F-I     &gt;60.0     &gt;100.0  &gt;100.0516      8-F-II    16.6      40.0    7.9515      7,8-DiCl-I              &gt;100.0    98.0    &gt;100.0518      7,8-DiCl-II              &gt;60.0     &gt;100.0539      7-Cl,8-Br-I              &gt;60.0     &gt;100.0  &gt;100.0538      7-Br,8-Cl-I              &gt;60.0     106.0   &gt;100.0554      8-O-CH.sub.3 -I              &gt;100.0______________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 16b______________________________________Mrz                     MES i.p. (ID.sub.502/         Substance    mg/kg)______________________________________577        II (Chol)    23.7569        8-Cl-I (Chol)                   &gt;50576        8-Cl-II (Chol)                   7.7586        8-Br-I (Chol)                   &gt;50570        8-Br-II (Chol)                   12.8572        8-F-I (Chol) &gt;100571        8-F-II (Chol)                   15.5574        7,8-DiCl-I (Chol)                   &gt;100578        8-O-CH.sub.3 -II (Chol)                   &gt;100.0575        7-O-CH.sub.3 -I (Chol)                   &gt;100.0______________________________________ 
    
     Microelectrophoretic application of EAA agonists to spinal neurones in vivo 
     The ability of these glycine B  antagonists to act as NMDA receptor antagonists in vivo was assessed using i.v. administration against responses of single neurones in the rat spinal cord to microelectrophoretic application of AMPA and NMDA. The class II compounds Mrz 2/502 and Mrz 2/516 were potent NMDA receptor antagonists in vivo with ID 50  s of 1.2 and 1.8 mg/kg i.v. respectively whereas the parent class I compounds were completely inactive at up to 16 mg/kg i.v. Three to four fold higher doses also antagonised responses to AMPA, although this apparent lack of selectivity contrasts with the in vitro assays (Table 17a). 
     
                       TABLE 17a______________________________________             Microelectropho                          Microelectropho             retic        reticMrz               NMDA (ID.sub.50 mg/kg                          AMPA (ID.sub.50 mg/kg2/      Substance i.v.)        i.v.)______________________________________501     8-Cl-I    &gt;16.0        &gt;16.0502     8-Cl-II   1.2          4.9519     8-F-I     &gt;16.0        &gt;16.0516     8-F-II    1.8          3.6______________________________________ 
    
     The choline salts were about equipotent as the free acids in this model following i.v. administration but were somewhat more selective for NMDA versus AMPA (Table 17b). Once again, the non-N-oxide derivatives (class I compounds) were inactive. 
     
                       TABLE 17b______________________________________              Microelectrophor                           Microelectropho              etic         reticMrz                NMDA (ID.sub.50 mg/kg                           AMPA (ID.sub.50 mg/kg2/      Substance  i.v.)        i.v.)______________________________________577     II (Chol)  34.0         &gt;32.0569     8-Cl-I (Chol)              &gt;16.0        &gt;16.0576     8-Cl-II (Chol)              2.8          &gt;16.0586     8-Br-I (Chol)              &gt;16.0        &gt;16.0570     8-Br-II (Chol)              4.5          &gt;16.0572     8-F-I (Chol)              &gt;16.0        &gt;16.0571     8-F-II (Chol)              4.7          9.2______________________________________ 
    
     DISCUSSION 
     The four class II compounds Mrz 2/499, 2/501, 2/514 and 2/516 are glycine B  antagonists in vitro and have a much better in vivo systemic and / or CNS availability than their associated parent class I compounds (Mrz 2/585, 2/501, 2/503 and 2/519). Access to the CNS is a major problem for almost all glycine B  antagonists developed to date, but this new class of compounds has overcome this major hindrance and are accordingly therapeutically relevant glycine B  antagonists. 
     ADDITION SALTS 
     By using methods as outlined hereinbefore for compounds 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, addition salts are prepared with quaternary amines (e.g., 4-tetramethylammonium, 4-tetraethylammonium), quaternary aminoalcohols (e.g., choline), or quaternary aminoacids (e.g., N,N,N-trimethylserine). Choline and 4-tetramethylammonium (4-NH 3 ) salts improve bioavailability substantially and are preferred. 
     PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS 
     The compounds according to the present invention may be processed into pharmaceutical compositions comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or diluent in addition to the active compound of the present invention. Such compositions can be administered to a living animal, especially a living human, by the oral or the parenteral route. For example, solid preparations or pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration may take the form of capsules, tablets, pills, powders, or granulates. In such solid pharmaceutical formulations, the active substance or a prodrug therefor is mixed with at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier such as cane sugar, lactose, starch, talc, or synthetic or natural gums, a binder such as gelatin, a lubricant such as sodium stearate, and/or a disintegrant such as sodium bicarbonate. To enable a sustained-release effect, a substance such as a hydrocolloid or other polymer may be incorporated into the pharmaceutical composition. Additional substances such as lubricants or buffers may also be added, as is conventional in the art. The tablets, pills, or granulates may be subjected to enteric coating, if desired. Liquids for oral application may be in the form of liposomes, emulsions, solutions, or suspensions, containing commonly-used inert diluents such as water. Additionally, such liquid pharmaceutical compositions may also contain wetting, emulsifying, dispersing, or generally surface-active agents as well as sweetening, flavoring, or fragrance-imparting substances. 
     Suitable preparations for parenteral application may be, among others, sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, liposomes, or emulsions. Additional substances, of which there are many, already known for this form of presentation of a pharmaceutical composition, may be employed as pharmaceutically-acceptable diluent or carrier material. 
     Depending upon the intended mode of application and duration of treatment, the exact dosage of the active compounds in the preparations of the invention may be varied, especially as deemed appropriate by the attending physician or veterinarian. The active agents of the present invention may obviously be combined for administration with other pharmacologically-active agents. 
     In the compositions of the present invention, the proportions of the active agent or agents in the composition may be varied widely, it being necessary only that the active ingredient of the invention or a prodrug therefor constitute or provide an effective amount, i.e., such that a suitable effective dose will be obtained consistent with the dosage form employed. Obviously several dosage forms as well as several individual active compounds may be administered at or about the same time or even in the same pharmaceutical composition or formulation. 
     METHOD-OF-TREATING 
     As previously indicated, the compounds of the present invention are suitable, especially in the form of pharmaceutical compositions or formulations thereof, for oral or parenteral administration, the exact individual dosages as well as daily dosages in a particular case of course being determined according to well-established medical and/or veterinarian principles in accord with the directions of the physician or veterinarian in charge. 
     In addition to oral and parenteral administration, rectal and/or intravenous administration may be employed, the dosages generally being considerably reduced where parenteral administration is involved, although oral administration is preferred. An amount of approximately one to three grams per day in the form of repeated or divided dosages is suitable. Broader ranges of about 0.5 to about 10 grams per day may also be employed, depending upon the circumstances of an individual case. Although 500 mg of active principle has been found especially suitable for use in tablets, individual dosages may vary from about 200 to 1,000 mg, and the 500 mg suggested for use in tablets may of course be administered orally, for example, from one to three times a day. It goes without saying that more than one tablet may be administered in a single dose, as would be required to attain the above-identified suggested daily oral administration amounts of one to three grams per day. 
     As already stated, a compound of the invention or a prodrug therefor may be administered to the living animal including a living human in any one of numerous ways, for example, orally as in capsules or tablets, parenterally in the form of sterile solutions or suspensions, or by pellet implantation, and in some cases intravenously in the form of sterile solutions. Other obvious modes of administration are cutaneously, subcutaneously, bucally, intramuscularly, and intraperitoneally, and the particular mode of administration will as usual be selected by the physician or veterinarian in charge. 
     It is thus seen that the present invention provides novel pyrido-phtalazin dione compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, as well as a method of combating neurological disorders associated with excitotoxicity and malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission therewith, these collectively providing a long-awaited solution to a previously-existing problem not adequately solved by the prior art. 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the exact compounds, compositions, methods, or procedures disclosed, as numerous modifications and changes therein will immediately become apparent to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, wherefore the present invention is to be understood as limited only by the full scope which can be legally accorded to the appended claims.