The research and development of a 5-HT selective reuptake blocker. Preclinical aspects

The preclinical development of zimeldine according to the 5-HT (serotonin) hypothesis is briefly reviewed. Zimeldine is a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor based on the "chemical lead" of brompheniramine--an antihistamine with some 5-HT reuptake inhibitory properties. By chemical manipulation of the position of the pyridine ring in brompheniramine and the stereochemistry of the side chain, a selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitor has been developed.