An antidepressant-related pharmacological signature for positive allosteric modulators of α2/3-containing GABAA receptors

Data from transgenic animals and novel pharmacological agents has realigned scientific scrutiny on the therapeutic potential of positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α2/3-containing GABAA receptors. Evidence for analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic activity of α2/3-selective PAMs has been presented along with the clinical potential for a milder motor-impacting profile compared to non-selective GABAA receptor PAMs. A new series of α2/3-selective PAMs was recently introduced which has anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity in rodent models. These molecules also produce efficacy against pain in multiple animal models. Additionally, co-morbid states of depression are prevalent among patients with pain and patients with anxiety. Compounds were shown to be selective for α2 and α3 constructs over α1 (except KRM-II-82), α4, α5, and α6 proteins in electrophysiological assays in transfected HEK-293T cells. Utilizing the forced-swim assay in mice that detects conventional and novel antidepressant drugs, we demonstrate for the first time that α2/3-selective PAMs are active in the forced-swim assay at anxiolytic-producing doses. In contrast, activity in a related model, the tail-suspension test, was not observed. Diazepam was not active in the forced-swim assay when given alone but produced an antidepressant-like effect in mice when given in conjunction with the α1-preferring antagonist, β-CCT, that attenuated the motor-impairing effects of diazepam. We conclude that these α2/3-selective PAMs deserve further scrutiny for their potential treatment of major depressive disorder. If effective, such a mechanism could add a beneficial antidepressant component to the anxiolytic, analgesic, and anticonvulsant spectrum of effects of these compounds. •α2/3-containing GABAA receptor PAMs produced antidepressant-like responses in the forced-swim assay.•Diazepam, not active when given alone, was antidepressant-like when α1 proteins were blocked with β-CCT.•An antidepressant phenotype adds to the anxiolytic, antiepileptic, and antinociceptive potential of this mechanism.