Do benzodiazepines induce sleep by a GABAergic mechanism?
In order to further characterize the possible role of GABA function in the sleep-inducing properties of benzodiazepines (BZs), we have administered the GABA agonist muscimol (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and the GABA antagonist bicuculline (1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg) IP, alone and in combination with triazolam (0.8 mg/kg). There was no evidence of interaction of these compounds with triazolam vis a vis sleep. These data are consistent with an earlier report indicating a lack of interaction of muscimol with flurazepam, and suggest that non-GABAergic mechanisms may be involved in the hypnotic properties of benzodiazepines.
Center for the Study of Sleep and Waking, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794-7139.
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Mendelson
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Monti
D000818:Animals; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009118:Muscimol / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D014229:Triazolam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D014229:Triazolam; D009118:Muscimol; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D001640:Bicuculline