Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinylalkyl phosphonic acid compounds for treatment of

Abstract

A class of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinylalkyl phosphonic acid compounds is described for treatment to reduce neurotoxic injury associated with anoxia or ischemia which typically follows stroke, cardiac arrest or perinatal asphyxia. The treatment includes administration of a compound of this class alone or in a composition in an amount effective as an antagonist to inhibit excitotoxic actions at major neuronal excitatory amino acid receptor sites. Compounds of most interest are those of the formula: ##STR1## and the carboxylic and phosphonic alkyl esters and salts thereof; wherein R.sup.9 is selected from hydrido, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl; wherein each of Y.sub.m and Y.sub.n is a spacer group independently selected methylene and ethylene radicals which may be unsubstituted and from methylene radicals which may be substituted with a group selected from halo, hydroxy and oxo;