An inverse agonist of a5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors selectively binds to a1- a2- a3- and a5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors (Kis 0.83 0.85 0.77 and 1.4 nM respectively) over those containing a4 and a6 subunits (Kis 395 and 4000 nM respectively) selectively inhibits GABA-induced currents in L-M(TK-) cells expressing a5 subunit-containing GABAA receptors over those containing a1 a2 or a3 subunits reverses LPS-induced decreases in Bdnf expression in the mouse hippocampus at 3 mg/kg reverses LPS-induced memory consolidation deficits in mice at 3 mg/kg enhances the performance of wild-type rats in a delayed matching-to-place water maze at 0.3 1 and 3 mg/kg reduces immobility in the forced swim test