Substituted 
piperidine compounds represented by the structure I are provided,  wherein each of R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, R1g, R1h, R2, R2A, R3, R4, A, X, a, x and n is as defined in the specification. Substituted 
piperidine compounds of structure I may permeate or penetrate across a nerve 
cell membrane into the interior of a nerve 
cell, may inhibit 
intracellular Rho 
kinase enzyme found in 
nerve cells in mammals, and may find utility in repair of damaged nerves in the central and 
peripheral nervous system of such mammals. These compounds may induce the regeneration or growth of neurites in mammalian 
nerve cells and may thereby induce regeneration of damaged or diseased nerve tissue. These compounds also find additional utility as antagonists of the 
enzyme Rho 
kinase in treatment of 
disease states in which Rho 
kinase is implicated. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these substituted 
piperidine compounds may be useful to promote 
neurite growth and in the treatment of diseases in which Rho 
kinase inhibition is indicated.