title: The effects of GABA and benzodiazepine receptor antagonists on the anti-conflict actions of diazepam or ethanol.
abstract: The effects of picrotoxin, bicuculline or RO 15-1788 on the anti-conflict action(s) of diazepam or ethanol were studied in rats using a modified Vogel's conflict test procedure. RO 15-1788 antagonized the anti-punishment effects of diazepam (2.5 mg/kg, IP), whereas various doses of bicuculline or picrotoxin did not interfere with diazepam's anti-conflict effect in this test situation. The anti-conflict action of ethanol (2 g/kg, IP) was antagonized by picrotoxin (1.0 mg/kg, IP), whereas both bicuculline and RO 15-1788 were without effect on the increased punishment response produced by ethanol. These data suggest that the anti-conflict properties of ethanol are at least partially mediated through an enhancement of central GABAergic activity.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003975:Diazepam / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005442:Flumazenil; D008297:Male; D010852:Picrotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011678:Punishment; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D001640:Bicuculline; D003975:Diazepam; D000431:Ethanol; D005442:Flumazenil; D010852:Picrotoxin; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A