The pharmaco-EEG profile and the effects on P300 and CNV of befloxatone, a new selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitor, were assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-way crossover study. Twelve healthy young male volunteers were administered single doses of 2.5, 10 and 20 mg befloxatone and placebo separated by a 1-week washout. The EEG data were recorded before and at least 6 h after drug administration, by means of 28 leads allowing topographical analysis of the results. MAO inhibition, subjective effects and safety variables were also investigated. Statistical analysis was performed by means of the SDT method. Befloxatone induced dose-related EEG changes which occurred rapidly, peaked between 0.5 and 2 h and lasted at least until 6 h after drug administration. The EEG changes were characterized by an increase in absolute and/or relative alpha power, mainly alpha 1, after the 3 doses and a theta power increase after 10 and 20 mg only. These changes occurred mainly over the centroparietotemporal areas. Concerning the event-related potential, P300 latency of the auditory evoked potentials did not change. The P300 and CNV mean topographic amplitudes were decreased, between 0.5 and 2 h, after the two lowest doses for the P300 and the 3 doses for the CNV. After administration of 2.5, 10 and 20 mg, MAO inhibition was shown by respectively 38, 76 and 81% reduction in plasma free 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylglycol reached after 2–4 h. Such a pharmaco-EEG profile, occurring at doses inducing MAO-A inhibition, is similar to those already described with nonsedative antidepressant