MDL 105519 is an NMDA receptor antagonist in vivo. Intravenously administration of MDL 105519 prevents harmaline-stimulated increases in cerebellar cyclic GMP content, providing biochemical evidence of NMDA receptor antagonism in vivo. This antagonism is associated with anticonvulsant activity in genetically based, chemically induced, and electrically mediated seizure models. Anxiolytic activity is observed in the rat separation-induced vocalization model, but muscle-relaxant activity is apparent at lower doses. Higher doses impair rotorod performance, but are without effect on mesolimbic dopamine turnover or prepulse inhibition of the startle reflex.