4-(2-PYRIDYL)PIPERIZINES HAVING 5HT7 RECEPTOR AGONIST ACTIVITY

The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I: (see formula I) wherein R1 is hydrogen, (C1-C6) alkyl, (C1-C6) alkoxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted arylmethyl or optionally substituted heteroarylmethyl, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen or (C1-C6)alkyl or they may, taken together, form a ring, R4 and R5 are independently hydrogen or (C1-C6) alkyl or they may, taken together, form a ring, and X and Y are independently hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, nitro, amino, cyano, phenyl, -C (=O -O-(C1-C6)alkyl, -(C1-C6)-C(=O)-(C1-C6)alkyl, -C(=O)H, -C(=O)NR4R5, optionally substituted (C1-C6) alkyl, optionally substituted (C1-C6) alkoxy or (C1-C6) alkadiene and where X or Y may form a ring with the pyridinyl to which they are attached. The compounds of the invention are 5HT7 partial agonists and are useful in the treatment of several disorders of the central nervous system.