Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors

Abstract

Disclosed are compounds of formula R—X—Y that may be used to inhibit the action of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) will slow the normal degradation and inactivation of endogenous cannabinoid ligands by FAAH hydrolysis and allow higher levels of those endogenous cannabinergic ligands to remain present. These higher levels of endocannabinoid ligands provide increased stimulation of the cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors and produce physiological effects related to the activation of the cannabinoid receptors. They will also enhance the effects of other exogenous cannabinergic ligands and allow them to produce their effects at lower concentrations as compared to systems in which fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) action is hot inhibited. Thus, a compound that inhibits the inactivation of endogenous cannabinoid ligands by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) may increase the levels of endocannabinoids and, thus, enhance the activation of cannabinoid receptors. Thus, the compound may not directly modulate the cannabinoid receptors but has the effect of indirectly stimulating the cannabinoid receptors by increasing the levels of endocannabinoid ligands. It may also enhance the effects and duration of action of other exogenous cannabinergic ligands that are administered in order to elicit a cannabinergic response.