Behavioral pharmacology of zopiclone.
The pharmacological properties of zopiclone, a cyclopyrrolone derivative, have been studied in comparison with diazepam, nitrazepam, and flurazepam, on behavioral tests in mice and rats, including open-field activity, Skinner box conflict test, hyperemotionality and muricidal behavior of olfactory bulbectomized or raphectomized rats, pentetrazol or electroshock convulsions, inclined screen, rotarod, and thiopental-, ether-, or ethanol-induced anesthesia. Zopiclone exhibited pharmacological properties qualitatively similar to those of benzodiazepines especially in conflict, aggressivity, and pentetrazol-induced convulsion tests. On the other hand, its myorelaxant activity was somewhat weaker than that of the reference drugs. The pharmacological effects of zopiclone were of short duration.
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; C515050:zopiclone; D001569:Benzodiazepines