Attenuation of defensive threat and attack in wild rats (Rattus rattus) by benzodiazepines.
A battery of tests designed to elicit reactions to a variety of non-painful threat stimuli was used to study the effects of chlordiazepoxide (5-20 mg/kg), diazepam (1-5 mg/kg) and midazolam (1-10 mg/kg) on the defensive repertoire of wild Rattus rattus. The most consistent effect of benzodiazepine treatment, across compounds and tests, was a marked reduction in defensive threat and attack behaviors, with midazolam effective over a wider range of situations. In contrast, effects on freezing and flight reactions were more variable, differing substantially as a function of stimulus context. The general profile of observed changes in defense cannot be explained in terms of either non-specific behavioral suppression or a global reduction in defensiveness. Rather, our findings suggest that benzodiazepines may primarily induce a shift within the defense repertoire.
Blanchard
D C
DC
Bekesy Laboratory of Neurobiology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96822.
Hori
K
K
Rodgers
R J
RJ
Hendrie
C A
CA
Blanchard
R J
RJ
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000758:Anesthesia; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005260:Female; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines