title: Behavioral neurochemistry of benzodiazepines.
abstract: The therapeutic effects of benzodiazepines in psychoneurosis may depend in part on their ability to disinhibit a patient's anxiety-suppressed, gratification-seeking behavior. Benzodiazepines may disinhibit behavior by reducing the activity of serotonin (and possibly acetylcholine) neurons in the brain's "punishment" system. Reduction of serotonin transmission may be due to a facilitation of gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)-mediated presynaptic inhibition at the serotonin nerve terminal.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D009638:Norepinephrine