Use of peripheral-type benzodiazepine sites for treatment of CNS trauma or disease

It is a purpose of this invention to provide a means of treating various central nervous system (CNS) injuries to prevent or minimize damage to the CNS. A novel use has been found for some previously known compounds which are inhibitory agonists of the peripheral-type BZ receptors. It is another purpose of this invention to provide a means of speeding the recovery of tissue damaged through injury to the CNS. The above described inhibitory agonists of the peripheral-type BZ receptors are useful for this purpose, and provide an easily administrable medication. Additionally, a means is provided for screening for new compounds which will act as inhibitory agonists of the peripheral-type BZ receptors and therefore which can be used for treating CNS injuries and for speeding the recovery of tissue damaged through such injuries.