Abecarnil was originally developed as an anti-anxiety drug, but has not as yet been commercially developed for use in humans. It has mainly been used for research into the development of other newsedative andanxiolytic drugs. Investigations are continuing into its actions, and it is likely to be developed for use in the treatment of anxiety[2] and as a less addictive substitute drug for the treatment of benzodiazepine[3] andalcohol[4]addiction.
Abecarnil is a relatively subtype-selective drug that produces primarily anxiolytic effects, with comparatively fewer sedative ormuscle relaxant properties.[5][6] Additionally, it does not significantly potentiate the effects of alcohol.[7]
Abecarnil may have fewer problems withtolerance and withdrawal compared to nonselectivefull agonist benzodiazepine acting drugs.[8]
The abuse potential of abecarnil is thought to be less than that of benzodiazepines,[9] with only mild withdrawal symptoms noted after abrupt discontinuation of treatment.[10]
Aphotoswitchable analog of abecarnil (azocarnil) has been developed to locally and reversibly controlneuroinhibition with light in wildtype animals.[11]
^Aufdembrinke B (1998). "Abecarnil, a new beta-carboline, in the treatment of anxiety disorders".The British Journal of Psychiatry. Supplement.34 (34):55–63.doi:10.1192/S0007125000293537.PMID9829018.S2CID24311570.
^Jung ME, Wallis CJ, Gatch MB, Lal H (June 2000). "Abecarnil and alprazolam reverse anxiety-like behaviors induced by ethanol withdrawal".Alcohol.21 (2):161–168.doi:10.1016/S0741-8329(00)00079-3.PMID10963939.
^Krause W, Schütt B, Duka T (May 1990). "Pharmacokinetics and acute toleration of the beta-carboline derivative abecarnil in man".Arzneimittel-Forschung.40 (5):529–532.PMID1974428.
^Stephens DN, Schneider HH, Kehr W, Andrews JS, Rettig KJ, Turski L, et al. (April 1990). "Abecarnil, a metabolically stable, anxioselective beta-carboline acting at benzodiazepine receptors".The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.253 (1):334–343.PMID1970361.
^Löscher W, Hönack D (April 1992). "Withdrawal precipitation by benzodiazepine receptor antagonists in dogs chronically treated with diazepam or the novel anxiolytic and anticonvulsant beta-carboline abecarnil".Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology.345 (4):452–460.doi:10.1007/BF00176624.PMID1352384.S2CID20486955.
^Sannerud CA, Ator NA, Griffiths RR (October 1992). "Behavioral pharmacology of abecarnil in baboons: self-injection, drug discrimination and physical dependence".Behavioural Pharmacology.3 (5):507–516.doi:10.1097/00008877-199210000-00009.PMID11224153.S2CID32081258.
^Ballenger JC, McDonald S, Noyes R, Rickels K, Sussman N, Woods S, et al. (1991). "The first double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a partial benzodiazepine agonist abecarnil (ZK 112-119) in generalized anxiety disorder".Psychopharmacology Bulletin.27 (2):171–179.PMID1681563.
