Novel substituted tetrahydrotriazaacenaphthylene derivatives as potent CRF1 receptor antagonists

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a 41 amino acid peptide neurohormone synthesised by specific hypothalamic nuclei in the brain, is implicated in stress-related function. Antagonism of CRF1 receptors is an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Unsaturated tetrahydrotriazaacenaphthylenes of general structure 3 have been identified as potent and selective CRF1 receptor antagonists with a suitable oral pharmacokinetic profile.