The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): ##STR00001##
wherein: V and U are hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkylamino, or
together form a group that contains one or more heteroatoms, and that
taken together with one or more: (a) hydrogen atoms; (b) carbon atoms;
(c) --CH.dbd. groups; (d) --CH.sub.2-- groups; or (e) additional
heteroatoms of the same or different type; or any combination thereof,
form a 4-7 membered homocyclic or heterocyclic ring, wherein the
homocyclic or heterocyclic ring may combine with the phenyl group to form
a bicyclic ring, and wherein the homocyclic or heterocyclic ring or the
bicyclic ring may contain one or more oxo, thioxo, amino, mercapto,
trifluoromethyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, .dbd.S or --SH groups; W: is
--CO--, --CH.sub.2-- or --CH.sub.2--(C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl)-; X: is
--CO--; Y: is --O--, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkylene, C.sub.1-C.sub.4
alkynylene, cycloalkylene, aminocarbonyl, --NH--, --N(C.sub.1-C.sub.4
alkyl)-, -C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkylene-N(C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl)-,
--CH.sub.2O--, --CH(OH)-- or --OCH.sub.2--; Z: is hydrogen, halogen,
nitro, amino, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkoxy, cyano,
trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl or carboxyl; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2: are hydrogen,
or together form a C.sub.1-C.sub.3 bridge; and n and m: independently are
0-3, wherein n and m cannot each be 0; or an optical antipode, racemate
or pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. The carboxylic acid amide
derivatives of formula (I) are highly effective and selective antagonists
of the NMDA receptor.
