Alprazolam modifies animal behaviour on elevated plus-maze.
Exposure to elevated plus-maze is known to evoke approach-avoidance conflict behaviour and anxiety related movements in mice. Alprazolam (0.1 to 1 mg/kg, ip) produced dose dependant increase in antianxiety response, 100% first preference to open arm, open arm entries and exploratory behaviour. This effect was not only comparable to diazepam but also sensitive to reversal by flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. Withdrawal of alprazolam (2 mg/kg/day for 14 days) and diazepam (20 mg/kg/day for 14 days) from chronic treatment produced typical anxiety response in animals. When tested for transfer latency, a parameter for learning and memory, both diazepam and alprazolam interfered with cognitive behaviour. Besides these actions, alprazolam also possesses anti-depressant property which makes it an atypical benzodiazepine for anxiety, panic disorder and endogenous depression.
Kulkarni
S K
SK
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
Sharma
K
K
D000525:Alprazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003975:Diazepam; D000525:Alprazolam