title: The influence of midazolam on active avoidance retrieval and acquisition rate in rats.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of midazolam on the retrieval and acquisition rate of two-way active avoidance in rats. In the schedule 2 x 100 trials, the effects of midazolam (0.5-5.0 mg/kg), benzodiazepine binding site antagonist flumazenil (2.5-10.0 mg/kg), specific antagonist of GABA(A) receptor, bicuculline (0.5-4.0 mg/kg), and the blocker of GABA(A) receptor containing Cl(-) channels, picrotoxin (1.0-5.0 mg/kg), on the second day retrieval of avoidance performance were investigated, as well as the influence of the used blockers of GABA(A) receptor function on midazolam effects. Furthermore, the effect of midazolam (1.0 mg/kg) on acquisition rate in the 5 x 50 schedule, as well as the effects of third day treatment changing in that paradigm, was examined. Throughout the study, drugs were given intraperitoneally, 30 min before testing. Midazolam at the dose of 1.0 mg/kg facilitated avoidance retrieval, whereas flumazenil and bicuculline did not significantly change behavior. Picrotoxin (5.0 mg/kg) diminished performance. All three kinds of blockers used abolished facilitatory action of midazolam, confirming GABAergic mediation of the effect of benzodiazepine. Midazolam (1.0 mg/kg) increased acquisition rate during five consecutive days relative to saline, but without significant effect on the first day acquisition. In the case of third day changing of treatments, the intersection of regression rate lines was detected. Results from active avoidance paradigm experimentally support the findings from human studies that in certain circumstances, benzodiazepines, potentiating GABAergic neurotransmission, could produce retrieval-enhancing effects in memory tasks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 1, 11000, Serbia and Montenegro, Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
authors.forename: Dragan I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Obradović
authors.forename: Miroslav M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Savić
authors.forename: Draginja S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Andjelković
authors.forename: Nenad D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Ugresić
authors.forename: Dubravko R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bokonjić
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D008874:Midazolam