Behavioural actions of Ro 5-4864: a peripheral-type benzodiazepine?

Ro 5-4864 is a 1,4 benzodiazepine lacking typical benzodiazepine behavioural actions, and which has very low affinity for the "classical" CNS benzodiazepine binding sites. However, Ro 5-4864 has very high affinity for the peripheral type of binding site in the periphery and in the brain. Evidence is reviewed that Ro 5-4864 is sedative, convulsant and anxiogenic in rodents. We also describe the effects of combining Ro 5-4864 treatment with benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam, chlordiazepoxide) and with other drugs that modify the activity of benzodiazepines (Ro 15-1788, CGS 8216, picrotoxin, PK 11195, phenytoin). The binding sites that might be mediating these behavioural actions of Ro 5-4864 are discussed.