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Paradoxical effect of flurazepam.
S I Deutsch1, D O Norris, D A O'Connor
1Psychiatry Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Cold water swim stress impairs the seizure-fighting effects of flurazepam (a benzodiazepine). Pre-treating mice with flurazepam before stress surprisingly worsened this reduction in its anti-seizure efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cold water swim stress is known to reduce the effectiveness of flurazepam, a GABA-positive benzodiazepine, in preventing seizures in mice.
- This effect is not linked to changes in the voltage threshold required for seizure induction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of administering flurazepam before cold water swim stress on its antiseizure properties 24 hours later.
- To determine if pre-treatment alters the stress-induced reduction in flurazepam's efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Mice were treated with flurazepam 20 minutes prior to exposure to cold water swim stress.
- The ability of flurazepam to antagonize electrically induced seizures was assessed 24 hours after the stress exposure.
Main Results:
- Contrary to the hypothesis, pre-treatment with flurazepam did not restore its antiseizure efficacy.
- Instead, flurazepam pre-treatment potentiated the stress-induced decrease in its ability to prevent seizures.
Conclusions:
- Pre-treatment with flurazepam before cold water swim stress exacerbates the reduction in its antiseizure efficacy.
- This suggests a complex interaction between benzodiazepine action and acute stress response.