title: Evidence for excitatory and depressant non-receptor-mediated membrane effects of benzodiazepines in the crayfish.
abstract: Oxazepam produced a significant reversible monophasic concentration-dependent (50-500 mumol/l) depression of stretch-induced discharge frequency of the isolated crayfish sensory neuron. In total contrast, flurazepam (10-200 mumol/l) evoked reversible excitation of the neuronal firing rate but at concentrations greater than 300 mumol/l it induced transient excitation followed by secondary total depression. The benzodiazepine antagonist flumazepil (less than or equal to 1 mmol/l) also produced an inherent increase in neuronal discharge frequency, though respective concentrations of 50 and 100 mumol/l failed to block flurazepam-excitation or oxazepam-depression. It is suggested that these high concentration qualitatively divergent neuronal effects are not mediated through specific benzodiazepine receptors.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003400:Astacoidea; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005442:Flumazenil; D005479:Flurazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000187:drug effects*; D010076:Oxazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D010812:Physical Stimulation
chemical_list: D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005442:Flumazenil; D010076:Oxazepam; D005479:Flurazepam