The invention provides 4-imidazol-1-ylmethyl pyrimidine of the formula
##STR1##
that bind to GABAA receptors. In the above formula, R1,
R2 R3, R4, R5, R6 and Ar
are defined herein. Such compounds may be used to modulate ligand binding to GABAA
receptors in vivo or in vitro, and are particularly useful in the treatment
of a variety of central nervous system (CNS) disorders in humans, domesticated
companion animals, and livestock animals. Compounds provided herein may be administered
alone or in combination with one or more other CNS agents to potentiate the effects
of the other CNS agent(s). Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating
such disorders are provided, as are methods for using such ligands for detecting
GABAA receptors (e.g., receptor localization studies).
