Actions of 6-aminonicotinamide on benzodiazepine receptors in rat CNS

Since nicotinamide, 6-aminonicotinamide and harmaline can modify the ability of 3-acetylpyridine to cause CNS lesions, and nicotinamide and harmane alkaloids have been proposed as ligands at the benzodiazepine receptor, we have examined the effects of these agents individually or in combinations on [3H]diazepam binding to rat cortex membranes. No interaction was observed between any of the compounds, but 6-aminonicotinamide is over 100-fold more potent than nicotinamide in displacing diazepam.