Benzamide derivatives useful in the treatment of muscular disorders and pain and for controlling spasticity and tremors

Abstract

The present invention relates to a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: (I) wherein: n is 0 or 1; R1 is selected from H, alkyl and aralkyl, wherein said alkyl and aralkyl groups may be optionally substituted by one or more OH groups; X is a group selected from —C≡C—(CH)—; —C(R)═C(R)—(CH)—; and —C(R)(R)C(R)(R)—(CH)r-; where each of R, R, Rand Ris independently H or alkyl, and each of p, q and r is independently 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; Y is a group selected from: CN; COOR; CONRR; SONRR; NRCOR; NRSOR; and a heterocyclic group selected from oxadiazolyl, thiazolyl, iso-thiazolyl, oxazolyl, iso-oxazolyl, pyrazolyl and imidazolyl; where each of R, Rand Ris independently H or alkyl; or Rand Rare linked, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, to form a 5 or 6-membered heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl group, said heterocycloalkyl or heterocycloalkenyl group optionally containing one or more further groups selected from O, N, CO and S, and where each of R, R, R, R, R, Rand Ris independently H or alkyl. Further aspects of the invention relate to the use of such compounds in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a muscular disorder, pain, or for controlling spasticity or tremors, for example, spasticity in MS.