title: The central and basolateral amygdala differentially mediate the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines.
abstract: Microinfusions of the benzodiazepine anxiolytic midazolam into the central or basolateral amygdaloid nuclei produced different anxiolytic effects in two tests of rat 'anxiety'. Infusions into the basolateral nucleus impaired open-arm avoidance in the elevated plus-maze test, but did not impair shock-probe avoidance in the shock-probe burying test. In contrast, infusions into the central nucleus impaired shock-probe avoidance, but did not impair open-arm avoidance. Both of these site-specific, midazolam-induced anxiolytic effects were blocked by a pre-infusion of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788 (flumazenil). None of the treatments affected defensive burying. These results suggest that benzodiazepine receptors in the central and basolateral amygdaloid nuclei differentially mediate the anti-anxiety effects of benzodiazepine anxiolytics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pesold
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Treit
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D005442:Flumazenil; D008874:Midazolam