Benzodiazepines alter acquisition and retention of an inhibitory avoidance response in mice

These experiments were performed to examine the effects of graded doses of diazepam, flurazepam, or lorazepam given to Swiss-Webster mice either 30 min prior to training or immediately after training in a one-trial inhibitory (passive) avoidance task. A 350 MUA footshock was administered following entry into a darkened compartment and retention was tested three days later. Doses of 10.0 mg/kg diazepam and 20.0 mg/kg lorazepam given before training significantly impaired acquisition, while 1.0 mg/kg flurazepam, given immediately after training, produced retrograde amnesia. These results indicate that benzodiazepines affect memory processes and that various drugs of the benzodiazepine family differentially affect acquisition and memory consolidation.