This invention encompasses compounds of formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts thereof wherein X and Y are the same or different and represent oxygen or H2 with the proviso that not both X and Y are H2; W represents phenyl, thienyl, or pyridyl, each of which may be unsubstituted or mono or disubstituted with organic or inorganic substituents; and R1, R2, R3, and R4 are variables representing organic and inorganic substituents. These compounds are highly selective agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists for GABAa brain receptors or prodrugs thereof and are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, sleep, and seizure disorders, overdose with benzodiazepine drugs, and enhancement of memory.
CERTAIN PYRROLOQUINOLINONES; A NEW CLASS OF GABE BRAIN RECEPTOR LIGANDS