NOVEL COMPOUNDS

The present invention relates to novel derivatives of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, 3-HANA, of the general formula I I wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and selected from H, alkyl, aryl and arylalkyl; X and Y are the same or different and selected from alkoxy, aryloxy, alkyl, alkylthio, arylthio, fluoroalkyl, halogen, cyano, OSO2CH3, OSO2CF3, OCF3 and SCF3 with the proviso that the compound of formula I wherein R1 and R2=H, X=Br and Y=Me is excluded; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, methods and intermediates for their preparation, novel pharmaceutical compositions and the use thereof for inhibiting the enzyme 3-hydroxyanthranilate oxygenase, 3-HAO, responsible for the production of the endogenous neurotoxin quinolinic acid, QUIN.