Biochem/physiol Actions
Benzodiazepine-binding site GABAA receptor partial positive allosteric modulator (PAM) with in vivo efficacy in animal models of seizure and epilepsy.
Imepitoin (AWD 131-138; ELB 138) is a g-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor partial positive allosteric modulator (PAM) that targets the benzodiazepine (BZD)-binding site at the α/γ2-interface. Imepitoin enhances GABA current (% response/[GABA] alone in µM/receptor complex = 320/3/α1β2γ2, 310/25/α1β3γ2, 460/8/α2β2γ2, 590/12/α3β2γ2 and 290/3/α5β2γ2 using Xenopus oocytes expressing respective rat receptor complex) with ~2% the potency and 17-27% the efficacy of diazepam toward α1β2γ2. Imepitoin exhibits in vivo therapeutic efficacy in animal models of seizure and epilepsy.