RO 15-4513 and its interaction with ethanol.

It has recently been claimed that RO 15-4513 selectively opposes some of the behavioral actions of ethanol. Our studies on the intrinsic effects of this compound have shown it to be proconvulsant and to reduce exploratory behavior in mice. In these respects RO 15-4513 resembles a benzodiazepine receptor partial inverse agonist. Such intrinsic actions may well explain its alcohol-antagonizing properties, and argue against its potential in humans. In addition to partially reversing the effects of ethanol, RO 15-4513 also partially reverses the behavioral effect of a barbiturate and completely reverses the effects of a benzodiazepine.