In vitro binding and autoradiographic studies with [H]8-OH-DPAT and [H]Lesopitron as radioligands confirm that Lesopitron binds to 5-HT1A receptors in the rat brain with a relatively high affinity (pKi=7.35). As expected of a full agonist at postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors, Lesopitron (IC50=125 nM) inhibits forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in rat hippocampal membranes to the same extent as 5-HT. Lesopitron inhibits the firing of serotoninergic neurons both in vitro (in brainstem slices, IC50=120 nM).