title: Interactions of diazepam and pentobarbital with RO 15-4513 on intracranial self-stimulation discrimination behavior in rats.
abstract: Rats implanted with electrodes in the lateral hypothalamus were trained in a discrete trial procedure to make a differential response (right or left lever press) in the presence or absence of brain stimulation. When a high level of accuracy (95% correct) was attained in the discrimination, testing with vehicle, RO 15-4513, diazepam (1.0-10 mg/kg), diazepam plus RO 15-4513 (1.0 mg/kg), pentobarbital (1.0-17.5 mg/kg) and pentobarbital plus RO 15-4513 began. Diazepam, at 10 mg/kg, disrupted the discrimination behavior, and it also decreased the total number of lever-presses and increased the time to complete the session. These effects were blocked by the coadministration of 1.0 mg/kg RO 15-4513. Pentobarbital produced effects similar to those of diazepam, but these effects were only reversed to a limited extent by RO 15-4513. By itself, however, RO 15-4513 also decreased the total number of lever presses and increased the time to complete the session. Results were consistent with our previous findings with alcohol and RO 15-4513, and supported the notion that diazepam and alcohol have some similar effects at the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Emory University School of Medicine, Georgia Mental Health Institute, Atlanta 30306.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Schaefer
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Michael
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001386:Azides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D008297:Male; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012653:Self Stimulation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001386:Azides; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C042957:Ro 15-4513; D010424:Pentobarbital; D003975:Diazepam