This invention relates to bicyclic amide compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for use in the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions and/or disease states including cerebral insufficiency, through the enhancement of receptor functioning in synapses in brain networks responsible for basic and higher order behaviors as defined herein. These brain networks, which are involved in regulation of breathing, and cognitive abilities related to memory impairment, such as is observed in a variety of dementias, in imbalances in neuronal activity between different brain regions, as is suggested in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, respiratory depression, sleep apneas, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and affective or mood disorders, and in other disorders wherein a deficiency in neurotrophic factors is implicated, as well as other disorders as described herein.
