Antiseizure Activity of Novel γ-Aminobutyric Acid (A) Receptor Subtype-Selective Benzodiazepine Analogues in Mice and Rat Models

The anti seizure activity of benzodiazepines (BDZs) 1-5 in mice and rats as animal models is described. These BDZs have selective efficacy for alpha 2 beta 3 gamma 2 and alpha 3 beta 3 gamma 2 GABA(A)-receptors. Significant anticonvulsant activity with little or no motor impairment and therapeutic indexes (TI) of 2.8-44 (mice, ip) were observed for compounds 2-4 in the subcutaneous metrazole seizure (scMET) test. In rats, orally (po) the TI was >5 to 105. These compounds represent novel leads in the search for anticonvulsants devoid of sedative, ataxic, and amnestic side effects.