Befiradol hydrochloride (NLX-112 hydrochloride) is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT1A) receptor agonist with anxiolytic properties and inhibits mutant ATXN3 aggregation.

Befiradol hydrochloride (F13640 hydrochloride; NLX-112 hydrochloride) decreases the activity of dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons when administered intravenously at doses ranging from 0.2 to 18.2 μg/kg, with an effective dose (ED50) of 0.69 μg/kg, i.v. At the same dosage range, it enhances the firing rate of 80% of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) pyramidal neurons, with an ED50 of 0.62 μg/kg, i.v.[1]
Befiradol hydrochloride (0.04-0.63 mg/kg; i.p.) dose-dependently decreases extracellular 5-HT in the hippocampus and mPFC.[1]
Befiradol hydrochloride (0.01-2.5 mg/kg; i.p.) dose-dependently increases extracellular DA in mPFC, an effect dependent on the activation of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in mPFC. Local perfusion of Befiradol hydrochloride in mPFC (1-1000 μM) also increases extracellular DA in a concentration-dependent manner.[1]