title: Benzodiazepine-receptor mediated inhibition of isolation-induced aggression in mice.
abstract: The effects of a benzodiazepine receptor agonist (diazepam), antagonist (Ro 15-1788), and an "active" antagonist [inverse agonist] (3-carboethoxy-beta-carboline) were examined in an isolation-induced model of aggression. Diazepam (4 mg/kg) and 3-carboethoxy-beta-carboline (10 mg/kg), but not Ro 15-1788, significantly inhibited aggressive behavior in this model. Ro 15-1788 (10 mg/kg) reduced the anti-aggressive actions of both diazepam and 3-carboethoxy-beta-carboline, while mice treated with a combination of diazepam and 3-carboethoxy-beta-carboline had aggression scores increased to values not significantly different from vehicle treated mice. These findings suggest that both diazepam and 3-carboethoxy-beta-carboline have anti-aggressive properties in the isolation-induced model of aggression which are mediated through CNS benzodiazepine receptors.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skolnick
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Paul
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005442:Flumazenil; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*; D012934:Social Isolation
chemical_list: D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D002243:Carbolines; D007211:Indoles; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005442:Flumazenil; C024915:beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester; D003975:Diazepam