Effects of agents which enhance GABA-mediated neurotransmission on licking conflict in rats and exploration in mice.
On the holeboard, exploration (dipping) and locomotion of mice were enhanced by non-sedative doses of anxiolytics; clobazam, diazepam, nitrazepam and flunitrazepam. After chronic dosing the sedative effects of flunitrazepam showed tolerance and the increases in exploration remained while locomotion was less increased. Sodium valproate and to a lesser extent GAG also increased both exploration and locomotion at non-sedative doses. Muscimol, AOAA and urethane increased locomotion at threshold sedative doses with little or no increase in exploration. Baclofen only decreased behaviour. In a drinking test benzodiazepines evoked large increases in punished drinking. After chronic dosing of flunitrazepam there was a greater increase. Sodium valproate evoked a response of similar magnitude to the benzodiazepines whilst GAG evoked a smaller increase. Muscimol did not increase punished drinking. It is suggested that anxiolytic drug actions result from a more selective enhancement of brain GABA transmission.
D000818:Animals; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009118:Muscimol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009567:Nitrazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*; D014520:Urethane / Q000494:pharmacology; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology*
D009118:Muscimol; D014520:Urethane; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D014635:Valproic Acid; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D009567:Nitrazepam; D003975:Diazepam