L655708 is a potent, selective inverse agonist for the benzodiazepine site of GABAA receptors containing the α5 subunit (Ki = 0.45 nM). Displays 50-100-fold selectivity over GABAA receptors containing α1, α2, α3 orα6 subunits in combination with β3 and γ2. Enhances LTP in a mouse hippocampal slice model and increases spatial learning, without displaying proconvulsant activity.

L-655708 at 0.7 mg/kg, administered intraperitoneally, would result in 60-70% occupancy of α5 GABAA receptors with limited binding to α1, α2, and α3 subunit-containing GABAA receptors and no significant off-target behavioral effects, such as sedation and motor impairment.