Tertiary
butylurea has been investigated neuropharmacologically in mice and rats, and the results indicate that the compound possesses a marked CNS activity. It exhibited a pronounced activity against
pentetrazole-induced convulsions and lethality, but the protection against
strychnine-induced convulsions and lethality, was only partial. A significant prolongation of
pentobarbital sleeping time by a subsedative dose of tert-
butylurea was also observed. Protection afforded by tert-
butylurea against
tremorine-induced
tremors and the intensity of its
analgesic activity were both of moderate degree. In a subsedative dose range, tert-
butylurea exhibited motor
incoordination and behavioral effects with a decrease in the minor and the major movements of animals, as apparent from the treadmill and activity meter experiments respectively. The compound, however, does not seem to be a potent
sedative-
hypnotic agent, although there is a fairly good margin of safety between the
hypnotic and the lethal dose orally. The anti-
pentetrazole activity of tert-
butylurea suggests its possible effectiveness against 'petit mal'
seizures and, therefore, calls for additional studies to evaluate the
anticonvulsant activity of tert-
butylurea.