A series of 2-benzylglutarimides (4) and their N-methyl analogues (5) were prepared according to the Topliss scheme for the selection of benzyl substituents to maximize anticonvulsant activity. A total of 22 such compounds were subjected to initial (phase I) screening in mice against seizures induced by maximal electroschock (MES) and pentylenetetrazol (scMet) and in the rotorod assay for neurotoxicity. From this series of test ...