Three iodinated benzamides, 5-7, analogues of the potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor 1-benzyl-4-[N-[4'-(benzylsulfonyl) benzoyl-N-methylamino]ethyl]piperidine (2), were synthesized and evaluated as potential anticholinesterase agents. All three compounds were found to be three orders of magnitude less potent than the parent compound. However, receptor screening revealed that compounds 5-7 exhibit nanomolar affinity for the sigma binding site. Both [125I]5 and [125I]7 were synthesized and evaluated in rats. Following the intravenous administration of [125I]5 into rats, 1.59% of the injected dose was found in the rat brain within 5 min. The level of radioactivity in the brain remained steady for 2 h, the duration of the study. In contrast, 0.42% of the injected dose was detected in the rat brain following the i.v. injection of [125I]7. Coadministration of either [125I]5 or [125I]7 with 0.5 mumol/kg of haloperidol resulted in a 56-73% reduction in the level of radioactivity in the rat brain, suggesting that these compounds bind to the sigma binding site in vivo. Planar imaging studies with [123I]5 revealed significant accumulation of radioactivity within the monkey brain, with a half-life of 6 h. Compound [123I]5 may be potentially useful for studying sigma receptor distribution in the human brain.