The present invention provides compounds which are subtype selective antagonists of the alpha 2B adrenergic receptor and have no or weak antagonist activity at the other alpha adrenergic receptors. These compounds are useful as tool compounds and, in particular, as tool compounds for developing compounds useful in treating diseases that include but are not limited to chronic pain, visceral pain, corneal pain, neuropathic pain, glaucoma, ischemic neuropathies and other neurodegenerative diseases and conditions. These compounds are also useful as compounds for treating myocardial infarction and preventing acute coronary events. The compounds of this invention are 3-amino-1-thioxo or oxo-1,2,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-2,7-naphthyridine-4-carbonitriles or substituted derivatives thereof.
