Modification of the antinociceptive effect of morphine by centrally administered diazepam and midazolam

1 Intracerebroventricular administration of diazepam or midazolam decreased the antinociceptive effect of morphine in rats as measured by the "tail flick" method. 2 Midazolam, injected into the periaqueductal grey matter (PAG) antagonized the analgesic effect of morphine. The action of midazolam was partially reversed by bicuculline. 3 These findings support the view that the effect of benzodiazephines on morphine antinociception may be mediated through gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors.