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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
Developing dual functional allosteric modulators of GABA(A) receptors
Xiaodong F Liu1, Hui-Fang Chang, Richard Jon Schmiesing
1Department of Neuroscience Biology, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, DE 19850, USA. frankliu8@live.com
Abstract:
Positive modulators at benzodiazepine sites of α2- and α3-containing GABA(A) receptors are believed to be anxiolytic. Negative allosteric modulators of α5-containing GABA(A) receptors enhance cognition. By oocyte two-electrode voltage clamp and subsequent structure-activity relationship studies, we discovered cinnoline and quinoline derivatives that were both positive modulators at α2-/α3-containing GABA(A) receptors and negative modulators at α5-containing GABA(A) receptors. In addition, these compounds showed no functional activity at α1-containing GABA(A) receptors. Such dual functional modulators of GABA(A) receptors might be useful for treating comorbidity of anxiety and cognitive impairments in neurological and psychiatric illnesses.
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