Synthesis and preliminary pharmacologic studies on 1-(4-pyridyl)- and 6-methoxy-1-(4-pyridyl)-beta-carboline

1-(4-pyridyl) and 6-methoxy-1-(4-pyridyl)-beta-carboline were synthesized by dehydrogenation of 1-(4-pyridyl)-1,2-3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline and 6-methoxy-1-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline, and their central action was studied pharmacologically. In the doses employed neither preparation showed significant sedative, analgesic or antidepressant activity.