Proconflict effect of GABA receptor complex antagonists. Reversal by diazepam

The effect of drugs which down-regulate the function of GABA at the level of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex was studied on the conflict test in the rat. The GABA receptor antagonist, bicuculline, and the blockers of the GABA-receptor-coupled chloride channel, picrotoxin and pentylenetetrazol, produced a dose-dependent proconflict effect. This effect occurred at dose levels which failed to affect unpunished behaviour. The most effective compounds were bicuculline and picrotoxin. The proconflict effect of these drugs was prevented by diazepam but not by the specific benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro15-1788. The data indicate that a diminished GABAergic activity at different subunits of the GABA receptor complex resulted in an enhancement of punishment-suppressed behaviour in rats.