Coniine is a neurotoxic piperidine alkaloid found in poison hemlock (Conium maculatum L.). Coniine which is considered to be racemic mixture first described by Gieseke in 1827; von Hoffman confirmed the structure in 1881; Ladenburg perfermed synthesis in 1886. Coniine enantiomers are nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists. The relative potencies of these enantiomers on TE-671 cells expressing human fetal nicotinic neuromuscular receptors had the rank order of (-)-coniine > (+/-)-coniine > (+)-coniine. The rank order potency in SH-SY5Y cells which predominately express autonomic nAChRs was: (-)-coniine>(+)-coniine> (+/-)-coniine.

L-822179 is a triazolophthalazine that selectively attenuates the effects of GABA at GABA(A) receptors containing an alpha5 subunit. It is an orally active, functionally selective compound, which enhances cognition in animals without anxiogenic or convulsant effects. The dose-limiting adverse event of L-822179 is dizziness and/or light-headedness. L-822179 does not improve cognitive performance in the elderly; indeed the dose of 4 mg actually significantly impairs performance. In this regard, it could therefore be considered that this study is a failed trial in so far as the positive control, lorazepam, does not show the anticipated effect.

BMS-564929 is an investigational selective androgen receptor modulator, which is being developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb for treatment of the symptoms of age-related decline in androgen levels in men ("andropause"). Bristol-Myers Squibb presented data for BMS 564929 that showed favorable pharmacokinetics and the potential for use at a very low dose (0.03mg).

SDZ-WAG-994 is a potent and selective A1 receptor agonist, discovered by Sandoz. SDZ-WAG-994 was able to induce a dose-related and sustained fall in blood pressure and heart rate in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The compound was investigated in patients with heart failure symptoms and moderate left ventricular systolic dysfunction, where it produced no effect. In patients with patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, SDZ-WAG-994 was able to limit the increase in mean heart rate during exercise. The compound was also tested for treatment of postoperative dental pain, but for all efficacy measures, SDZ-WAG-994 was not significantly different from placebo.