This receptor selectivity resembles that of the well-characterized GABA receptor antagonist picrotoxin. It is related to the picrotoxin family of natural products. Clomethiazole acts as a positive allosteric modulator at the barbiturate/picrotoxin site of the GABA receptor. For animals, treatment consists of atropine, picrotoxin and activated charcoal. Currently, not much information exists regarding the lab synthesis of picrotoxin. Its fruit is the source of picrotoxin, a poisonous compound with stimulant properties. Picrotoxin, an antagonist for the GABA receptor, produces prepulse inhibition of startle in rats. This synthesis begins by treating picrotoxin with trifluoroacetic anhydride in pyridine to separate the components. The name "picrotoxin" is a combination of the Greek words "picros" (bitter) and "toxicon" (poison). Both inhibition by nerve stimulation and by applied GABA are blocked by picrotoxin. Due to its toxicity, picrotoxin is now most commonly used as a research tool. Picrotoxin acts as a central nervous system and respiratory stimulant. Although not commonly used, picrotoxin is effective as both a pesticide and a pediculicide.