The invention encompasses compounds of formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts thereof wherein: X and Y are hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy or amino with the proviso that at least X or Y is hydroxy; and R1?-R4? are variables representing various organic and inorganic substituents; and W represents phenyl, 2- or 3-thienyl, or 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl; or phenyl, 2- or 3-thienyl, or 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, each of which is mono or disubstituted with various organic or inorganic substituents. These compounds or prodrugs thereof 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 IMIDAZOQUINOXALINOLS; A NEW CLASS OF GABA BRAIN RECEPTOR LIGANDS