RWJ-51204
Encyclopedia
RWJ-51204 is an anxiolytic
drug used in scientific research. It has similar effects to benzodiazepine
drugs, but is structurally distinct and so is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine
anxiolytic.
RWJ-51204 is a nonselective partial agonist
at GABAA
receptors. It produces primarily anxiolytic effects at low doses, with sedative
, ataxia
and muscle relaxant
effects only appearing at some 20x the effective anxiolytic dose. It was discovered by researchers at the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson
, but its development has been discontinued.
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
drug used in scientific research. It has similar effects to benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepine
A benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring...
drugs, but is structurally distinct and so is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine
Nonbenzodiazepine
The nonbenzodiazepines, also called benzodiazepine-like drugs, are a class of psychoactive drugs pharmacologically resembling the benzodiazepines, with similar benefits, side effects and risks, despite having dissimilar or entirely different chemical structures.-Classes:There are currently three...
anxiolytic.
RWJ-51204 is a nonselective partial agonist
Partial agonist
Partial agonists bind and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist...
at GABAA
GABA A receptor
The GABAA receptor is an ionotropic receptor and ligand-gated ion channel. Its endogenous ligand is γ-aminobutyric acid , the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Upon activation, the GABAA receptor selectively conducts Cl- through its pore, resulting in...
receptors. It produces primarily anxiolytic effects at low doses, with sedative
Sedative
A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....
, ataxia
Ataxia
Ataxia is a neurological sign and symptom that consists of gross lack of coordination of muscle movements. Ataxia is a non-specific clinical manifestation implying dysfunction of the parts of the nervous system that coordinate movement, such as the cerebellum...
and muscle relaxant
Muscle relaxant
A muscle relaxant is a drug which affects skeletal muscle function and decreases the muscle tone. It may be used to alleviate symptoms such as muscle spasms, pain, and hyperreflexia. The term "muscle relaxant" is used to refer to two major therapeutic groups: neuromuscular blockers and spasmolytics...
effects only appearing at some 20x the effective anxiolytic dose. It was discovered by researchers at the pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is an American multinational pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer founded in 1886. Its common stock is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the company is listed among the Fortune 500....
, but its development has been discontinued.