CHEB, also known as BRN 0250312 is a convulsant barbiturate. Its mechanism of action is not fully understood.

CHEB has uncommon action compared to other barbiturates. While other barbiturates such as Barbital are usually anticonvulsants, CHEB is a convulsant.

CHEB's convulsant action is not fully understood. There may be multiple mechanisms involved in its properties;

In rats, CHEB stimulates the release of glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter.

In low doses, CHEB can block the action of glycine, thus operating in a strychnine similar way.

Another study has shown that CHEB could increase the release of acetylcholine. This result was not observed with some other convulsants (S(+)-MPPB, pentylenetetrazol and Ro-5-3663), suggesting that this property is unique.

Paradoxically, CHEB is able to enhance the binding of GABA, this is a strange property, as compounds that enhance GABA binding usually have anticonvulsant action, such as diazepam.