Disclosed are compounds of the formula: ##STR00001## wherein X, Q, W and ##STR00002## are as defined herein. These compounds are agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists for GABA.sub.A brain receptors or prodrugs of agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists for GABA.sub.A brain receptors and are therefore useful in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, depression, Down Syndrome, sleep and seizure disorders, overdose with benzodiazepine drugs and for enhancement of memory. Pharmaceutical compositions, including packaged pharmaceutical compositions, are further provided. Compounds of the invention are also useful as probes for the localization of GABA.sub.A receptors in tissue samples.