[Role of GABA-ergic and dopaminergic mechanisms in the withdrawal syndrome after discontinuation of long-term phenazepam administration]

Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1980 Jul;89(7):41-3.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

It has been shown that depakin, a GABA-ergic agonist, and alpha-methyl-DOPA that inhibits catecholamine synthesis are capable of removing the withdrawal syndrome (disturbed pavlovian behavior pattern and aggressiveness) occurring after discontinuance of long-term administration (30 days) of phenazepam to rats in a dose of 2 mg/kg. In contrast, bicucullin, a blocker of GABA-ergic receptors, thiosemicarbazide that inhibits GABA synthesis by the brain, disulfiram and 3,4-dioxyphenylalanine that increase dopamine and noradrenaline content in the barain aggravate the withdrawal syndrome after phenazepam is discontinued. The data obtained suggest a role of GABA-ergic and dopaminergic mechanisms in the emergence of the withdrawal syndrome after discontinuance of long-term administration of benzdiazepins.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents*
  • Benzodiazepines*
  • Benzodiazepinones / adverse effects*
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine / therapeutic use
  • Disulfiram / therapeutic use
  • Dopamine / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methyldopa / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Semicarbazides / therapeutic use
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Valproic Acid / therapeutic use
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / physiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Benzodiazepinones
  • Semicarbazides
  • Benzodiazepines
  • phenazepam
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • Methyldopa
  • thiosemicarbazide
  • Valproic Acid
  • Dihydroxyphenylalanine
  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan
  • Disulfiram
  • Dopamine