Psychopharmacology
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Benzodiazepine treatment can result in dependence as evidenced by signs of withdrawal upon discontinuation of use. ⋯ These results suggest that positive GABA(A) receptor modulators acting at different sites attenuate withdrawal induced by discontinuation of benzodiazepine treatment, consistent with previous studies suggesting that the same compounds attenuate flumazenil-precipitated withdrawal. Differences in the relative potency of positive modulators as a function of acute versus chronic benzodiazepine treatment suggest that neuroactive steroids, in particular, are especially potent in benzodiazepine-dependent animals.
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Several studies have shown the amnestic effects of ethanol (ETOH). However, while memory tasks in rodents can be markedly influenced by anxiety-like behavior and motor function, ETOH induces anxiolysis and different effects on locomotion, depending on the dose. ⋯ Neither the anxiolytic nor the locomotor effects of ETOH seem to be related to its amnestic effect in the PMDAT. Additionally, data give support to the effectiveness of the PMDAT in simultaneously evaluating learning, memory, anxiety-like behavior, and motor activity by different parameters. Possible relationships between the behavioral alterations found are discussed.