Serotonergic agents with long-acting in vivo effects

A method of treating a patient suffering from a chronic condition resulting from the dysfunction of the serotonergic 5-HT1A system comprising providing a therapeutically effective amount of compound of Formula I

• 10
• wherein
• R1=H or lower alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, and
• R2=H or lower alkyl or 1-4 carbon atoms, and pharmaceutical salts thereof, to a patient in need thereof, said effective dose being administered no more than once during a seven day period.

A method of potentiating the action of an inhibitor of serotonin reuptake comprising administering to a patient in need thereof in combination with a compound of Formula I

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• wherein
• R1=H or lower alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, and
• R2=H or lower alkyl or 1-4 carbon atoms, and pharmaceutical salts thereof, said effective dose being administered no more than once during a seven day periods, in combination with an inhibitor of serotonin reuptake.

A method of testing the effects of long term 5-HT1A receptor occupancy in a population of cells comprising contacting said cells with a labeled compound of Formula I

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• wherein
• R1=H or lower alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms,
• R2=H or lower alkyl or 1-4 carbon atoms;
• R3 is I and p is 0 or 1, and pharmaceutical salts thereof.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I

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• wherein
• R1=H or lower alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms, and
• R2=H or lower alkyl or 1-4 carbon atoms, and pharmaceutical salts thereof, an inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.