LACK OF EFFECT OF FLUMAZENIL AND CGS-8216 ON THE ANXIOLYTIC-LIKE PROPERTIES OF LORECLEZOLE

Loreclezole is a novel antiepileptic that interacts in a unique way wi th the GABA, receptor complex. Its anticonvulsant effect in rats is re versed by benzodiazepine receptor partial inverse agonists, such as CG S 8216 but not by the competitive benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, flumazenil (Ro 15-1788). In this study loreclezole (30.0-50.0 mg/kg i. p.) was found to induce an anxiolytic-like effect in a rat conditioned emotional response test that was reversed neither by flumazenil (10.0 mg/kg) nor by CGS 8216 (2-phenylpyrazoro[4,3-c]quinolin-3(5H)-one, 0. 3-3.0 mg/kg). The results suggest that the anxiolytic-like effects of loreclezole are not mediated by the benzodiazepine receptor.