Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Methods for the Discovery of Novel Compounds Modulating a Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Type A Neurotransmission
Published on: August 16, 2018
Effect of meta-chlorobenzhydryl urea (m-ClBHU) on benzodiazepine receptor system in rat brain during experimental
T V Shushpanova1, A V Solonskii, T P Novozheeva
1Laboratory of Neurobiology, Research Institute of Mental Health, Siberian Division of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Tomsk, Russia, redo@mail.tomsknet.ru.
Abstract:
Chronic alcohol intake induces neuroadaptive changes in benzodiazepine receptors modulating GABAA receptors that promote alcohol addiction. Analysis of benzodiazepine receptors in the brain of Wistar rats differing by alcohol preference has demonstrated that affinity of [(3)H]flunitrazepam and [(3)H]Ro5-4864 binding with membrane fraction was reduced, while the density of specific binding sites in the brain cortex of heavy drinking and low drinking rats was increased in comparison with rats nonpreferring alcohol. Administration of anticonvulsant meta-chlorobenzhydryl urea increased affinity of benzodiazepine receptors in the brain cortex of heavy drinking rats, which improved GABA neurotransmission in the brain of these animals and reduced alcohol consumption.
Related Concept Videos
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...

