The present study explored whether the profiles of action of benzodiazepines on intraspecies conflict behavior in mice are different. The occurrence of seven behavioral elements was observed in aggressive and timid singly-housed male mice treated with drugs in paired interactions with untreated non-aggressive males. At low doses, some benzodiazepines (alprazolam, oxazepam and diazepam) inhibited defenses, escapes, or attacks, but did not reduce other activities (social sniffing, walking, rearing), and actually increased most of them. At comparable doses, other benzodiazepines (flunitrazepam, nitrazepam, clonazepam and chlordiazepoxide) stimulated only social sniffing, but reduced rearing or walking. Further benzodiazepines (triazolam and lorazepam) reduced defenses, escapes and attacks only at doses that suppressed most of the remaining activities as well. Thus, the nine benzodiazepines tested exhibited different profiles of action in the present study. Alprazolam, oxazepam and diazepam appeared least sedative, while triazolam and lorazepam were most sedative.

Department of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine University of J E Purkynje Brno Czechosloyakia

Zobrazit více v PubMed

Br J Pharmacol. 1979 Mar;65(3):525-33 PubMed

Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 1983 Apr;18(4):545-9 PubMed

Prog Clin Biol Res. 1984;167:93-114 PubMed

Pregnanolone Glutamate, a Novel Use-Dependent NMDA Receptor Inhibitor, Exerts Antidepressant-Like Properties in Animal Models

Differential effects of six structurally related benzodiazepines on some ethological measures of timidity, aggression and locomotion in mice