Open AccessBenzodiazepines and central inhibitory mechanisms
Author(s) -
H. M. Geller,
David A. Taylor,
Barry J. Hoffer
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
naunyn-schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1432-1912
pISSN - 0028-1298
DOI - 10.1007/bf00495542
Subject(s) - diazepam , picrotoxin , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , central nervous system , chemistry , glycine , pharmacology , hypothalamus , norepinephrine , gaba receptor antagonist , neuroscience , gabaa receptor , biology , dopamine , receptor , bicuculline , biochemistry , amino acid
The effect of diazepam was evaluated on spontaneous activity and drug- and electrically-elicited inhibitions of neuronal activity. Doses of diazepam which did not change spontaneous firing rates markedly enhanced GABA-mediated inhibitions in rat cerebellum in situ and in tissue cultures of rat hypothalamus. The effects of diazepam were readily reversible, and could be antagonized by picrotoxin; no effect on glycine or norepinephrine-induced inhibition was seen. It is concluded that actions of diazepam are mediated, at least in part, by a specific increase in GABA-mediated inhibition in the central nervous system.