Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 336, Issue 2, 17 June 1985, Pages 342-345
Brain Research

Blockade of the diazepam-induced increase in rat striatal acetylcholine content by the specific benzodiazepine antagonists ethyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate and Ro 15-1788

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(85)90664-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Diazepam increased the acetylcholine content in the striatum and the hippocampus of the rat. This effect was antagonized in both brain areas by treatment with the specific central benzodiazepine blockers ethyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate and Ro 15-1788, whereas the peripheral antagonist Ro 5-4864 was ineffective. Pretreatment with picrotoxin, a known GABA antagonist did not interface with the diazepam-induced acetylcholine increase. These results indicate a specific involvement of benzodiazepine receptors in the cholinergic action of diazepam and this effect appears to be independent of GABA receptor activation.

References (29)

  • ConsoloS. et al.

    Action of the benzodiazepines on the cholinergic system

  • CostaE. et al.

    Evidence for involvement of GABA in the action of benzodiazepines: studies on rat cerebellum

  • CostaE. et al.

    A GABA hypothesis for the action of benzodiazepines

  • CostaE.

    Benzodiazepines and neurotransmitters

    Arzneimittel-Forsch.

    (1980)

    • Cited by (0)

    This work was supported by a grant from the National Research Council, Rome, Grant 82.01300.04 (National Pharmacology Group).

    *

    Permanent address: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical Pathology, 20090 Lubin, Poland.

    **

    The authors thank Dr. Gilberto Fisone for his excellent contribution to some of these experiments. We thank Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd, Basle, Switzerland, for kindly supplying diazepam, Ro 15-1788 and Ro 5-4864 and Centre de Recherche Clin-Midy, Montpellier, France, for a gift of β-CCE.

    View full text
    Copyright © 1985 Published by Elsevier B.V.