Ultrasonic vocalization in response to unavoidable aversive stimuli in rats: effects of benzodiazepines.
The effects of two benzodiazepine derivatives (diazepam, 0.5-1 mg/kg; alprazolam, 1.25-2.5 mg/kg) on ultrasonic calling elicited in adult rats by unavoidable aversive stimuli (footshocks) were investigated. The results show that either diazepam or alprazolam affected the duration of ultrasonic calls. In particular, a significant decrease in the length of ultrasounds was found in the group of animals treated with these benzodiazepines. The effects of diazepam were counteracted by the benzodiazepine-antagonist Ro 15-1788. On the other hand, neither a neuroleptic agent, such as haloperidol (0.5-1 mg/kg), nor an antidepressant, such as desipramine (5-10 mg/kg) influenced the parameters of ultrasonic emission in this experimental situation. The present results suggest that ultrasonic vocalization in response to unavoidable aversive stimuli could be considered as a potential new tool for studying drugs with antianxiety properties.
D000525:Alprazolam / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004597:Electroshock; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*
D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005442:Flumazenil; D006220:Haloperidol; D003975:Diazepam; D003891:Desipramine; D000525:Alprazolam