ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Punishment-induced suppression
;
Diazepam
;
Serotonin
;
Dorsal raphé
;
Substantia nigra
;
5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine
;
Ro 15-1788
;
Rat
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract The effects of manipulating central serotonergic transmission were assessed on the anti-punishment effects of diazepam (2 mg/kg IP) in rats. In a paradigm involving the inhibition of pressing for food induced by the delivery of a signal previously associated with electric foot-shocks, lesioning serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphé with the neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT; 1 μg in 0.4 μl) neither affected behavioral inhibition in control rats nor modified the ability of diazepam to release responding. Furthermore, suppression of pressing for food induced by a fixed ratio 7 schedule of shock presentation was reduced by bilateral infusion of 5,7-DHT (2 μg in 0.5 μl) into the substantia nigra, but the ability of diazepam to increase punished responding was preserved. Finally, blockade of benzodiazepine-induced decrease in serotonin release by application of the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788 (10−5–10−4 M in 0.2 μl) into the dorsal raphé did not alter the releasing effect of diazepam on suppression of pressing for food caused by a signal of punishment. At these concentrations. Ro 15-1788 was devoid of any effect on behavioral inhibition in control rats. Taken together, these results indicate that the anti-punishment activity of benzodiazepines can be dissociated from the reduction in tryptaminergic transmission produced by these drugs.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00427685
