4-NEMD is a potent sedative drug which acts as a selective alpha-2 adrenergicagonist. It is closely related to dexmedetomidine but is several times more potent.[1] Like other alpha-2 agonists, it produces sedative and muscle relaxant effects but without producing respiratory depression. It is not currently used in medicine but has been researched as the basis for a potential new generation of alpha-2 agonist drugs,[2][3] which may have selectivity for the different subtypes of the alpha-2 receptor.[4] It has two isomers, with the (S) isomer being the more potent, as with medetomidine.[5] 4-NEMD was also investigated by the United States military as an anaesthetic agent, most likely for use in surgery but possibly also for use as a non-lethal incapacitating agent, although this has not been officially confirmed.[6]
References
^Hong SS, Romstedt KJ, Feller DR, Hsu FL, Cupps TL, Lyon RA, Miller DD (July 1994). "A structure-activity relationship study of benzylic modifications of 4-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazoles on alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 37 (15): 2328–33. doi:10.1021/jm00041a011. PMID7914537.
^Zhang X, Yao XT, Dalton JT, Shams G, Lei L, Patil PN, et al. (July 1996). "Medetomidine analogs as alpha 2-adrenergic ligands. 2. Design, synthesis, and biological activity of conformationally restricted naphthalene derivatives of medetomidine". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 39 (15): 3001–13. doi:10.1021/jm9506074. PMID8709134.
^Zhang X, De Los Angeles JE, He MY, Dalton JT, Shams G, Lei L, et al. (September 1997). "Medetomidine analogs as alpha 2-adrenergic ligands. 3. Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of medetomidine analogs and their potential binding interactions with alpha 2-adrenoceptors involving a "methyl pocket"". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 40 (19): 3014–24. doi:10.1021/jm960642q. PMID9301663.
^Lalchandani SG, Zhang X, Hong SS, Liggett SB, Li W, Moore BM, et al. (January 2004). "Medetomidine analogs as selective agonists for the human alpha2-adrenoceptors". Biochemical Pharmacology. 67 (1): 87–96. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2003.08.043. PMID14667931.
^Hong SS, Romstedt KJ, Feller DR, Hsu FL, George C, Cupps TL, et al. (1992). "Resolution and adrenergic activities of the optical isomers of 4-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-1H-imidazole". Chirality. 4 (7): 432–8. doi:10.1002/chir.530040706. PMID1361151.
^US 5151526, Hsu FL, Ashman WP, "4-(1-(1-naphthalenyl)ethyl)-1H- imidazole, method of making and use as an anesthetic agent."