ISSN:
1435-1463
Keywords:
Benzodiazepine
;
benzodiazepine antagonist
;
β-carboline
;
partial agonist
;
sedative
;
self-stimulation
;
ZK 91 296
;
ZK 93 426
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Low doses (300μ/kg-1.0 mg/kg) of the novelβ-carboline, ZK 91 296, a putative agonist at the benzodiazepine receptor, produced a significant increase in the rate of variable-interval self-stimulation responding, similar to that found with typical benzodiazepines. This effect was blocked by simultaneous administration of the specific benzodiazepine-receptor antagonists Ro 15-1788 (2.0 mg/kg), and ZK 93 426 (10 mg/kg). Neither antagonist, ZK 93 426 (100μg/kg-10 mg/kg) or Ro 15-1788 (2.0 mg/kg), had any effect on self-stimulation when given alone. Unlike all benzodiazepine-receptor agonists previously tested, higher doses of ZK 91 296 did not depress self-stimulation response rates, even at a dose-level 100 times greater than the maximally stimulant dose. It is uncertain why ZK 91 296 lacks depressant effects: available evidence does not conclusively favour any single current explanation, but is consistent with it acting as a “partial” agonist.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01260903
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