Comparing the discriminative stimulus effects of modulators of GABAA receptors containing α4-δ subunits with those of gaboxadol in rats.

Rationale: Gaboxadol is a selective agonist at γ-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptors that contain α4-δ subunits, and it produces anxiolytic and sedative effects. Although adverse effects preclude its clinical use, its mechanism of action suggests that those receptors might provide novel therapeutic targets, particularly for modulators of those GABAA receptor subtypes, by retaining therapeutic effects of gaboxadol and not adverse effects.

Objectives: The current study compared discriminative stimulus effects of gaboxadol with those of modulators acting at GABAA receptors containing α4-δ subunits.