title: Effects of beta-carbolines in animal models of anxiety.
abstract: Animal models of anxiety can be classified into three main groups: those based on conflict or conditioned fear; those exploiting the anxiety produced by novelty; those in which anxiety or aversion is chemically induced. This review briefly describes the existing tests and, where available, the results obtained with beta-carbolines. Many of the beta-carbolines are anxiogenic in the tests, however ZK 91296 and ZK 93423 appear to have anxiolytic properties, and ZK 93426 has a similar profile to that of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist RO 15-1788. By the results across the spectrum of tests, the reliability and sensitivity of the tests is assessed. The evidence that the anxiogenic and anxiolytic actions of the beta-carbolines are mediated by the BDZ binding sites is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: MRC Neuropharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, University of London, U.K.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: File
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Baldwin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000187:drug effects*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007275:Injections, Intravenous
chemical_list: D002243:Carbolines