Supraspinal depressant action of diazepam on the crossed extensor reflex

The effects of diazepam on the crossed extensor reflex (CER) were compared between intact and spinally transected rats and also between IVth and lateral ventricular administration. The CER of the chronic spinal rat was not influenced by 0.05-2 mg/kg doses of diazepam, which was 5-200 times larger than the ED50 of the intact preparation. The IVth ventricular injection required only half as much diazepam compared to the lateral ventricular injection and the elapsed time between drug administration to the peak effect was significantly shorter. According to these findings, benzodiazepines seem to act primarily on the supraspinal structure near the IVth ventricle and thus depress the CER.