An inverse benzodiazepine receptor agonist Ro 19-4603, administered intraperitoneally, was found to induce two types of motor seizures, i.e. minimal, predominantly clonic and major, generalized tonic-clonic, in rats at all developmental stages studied (7, 12, 18 and 25 days old). The developmental profile of the two types of seizure was different. Minimal seizures could be induced easily in the two youngest groups, whereas there were no marked differences in the induction of major seizures between the age groups. A lethal outcome was more common in 18- and 25-day-old rats than in younger animals. The convulsant action of the benzodiazepine agonist/inverse agonist Ro 19-4603 shows only quantitative changes during post-natal development in the rat.