Differential interactions between ethanol and Ro 15-4513 on two anxiety tests in rats

Ro 15-4513 Antagonizes Alcohol-Induced Sedation in Mice Through αβγ2-type GABAA Receptors

“…This anxiolytic effect was not antagonized by co-treatment with Ro 15-4513 in any of our experiments. In contrast to our results, there are reports demonstrating that Ro 15-4513 reverses anxiolytic effects of ethanol in several different anxiety tests including the elevated plus-maze test (Suzdak et al, 1986; Belzung et al, 1988; Misslin et al, 1988; Becker and Hale, 1991; Prunell et al, 1994). The lack of antagonism of ethanol's anxiolytic-like action by Ro 15-4513 we observed may be related to the dosing regimen employed.…”

Behavioral characterization of acetaldehyde in C57BL/6J mice: locomotor, hypnotic, anxiolytic and amnesic effects

“…Therefore, these results confirm the sedative properties of acetaldehyde but fail to show its anxiolytic-like effects. This lack of acetaldehyde anxiolytic-like effects is not due to the methodological features of our elevated plus-maze, since we have shown with the same method and apparatus that ethanol induces a significant increase in the time spent on the open arms, replicating the results of previous studies (Durcan and Lister 1988;Prunell et al 1994). Therefore, acetaldehyde, in contrast to ethanol, seems to be devoid of anxiolytic-like properties in C57 mice and the present results argue against a role for acetaldehyde in the anxiolytic effects of ethanol.…”

“…In the elevated plus-maze, ethanol has consistently been shown to increase the time spent by both rats and mice in the open arms (e.g. Durcan and Lister 1988;Prunell et al 1994), a measure commonly used as an indicator of drug anxiolytic-like effects. Although acetaldehyde was suggested to be involved in many behavioral effects of ethanol, its contribution to the anxiolytic effects of ethanol has never been tested.…”

Immunocytochemical study of the forebrain serotonergic innervation in Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats

“…are generally considered to be involved in the development of dependence on-and relapse into-alcohol abuse. This may partly be due to the anxiolytic effect of ethanol described in both men and animals (Prunell et al 1994;LaBuda and Fuchs 2000) and has led to the hypothesis that anxiety may constitute a critical factor in the etiology of alcohol drinking. The fact that anxiety may trigger an abnormal alcohol intake has been strengthened by findings on genetically selected alcohol-preferring rats, showing their greater innate degree of anxiety relative to alcohol-non-preferring rats.…”