Locomotor and antidepressant-like effects of 5-HT(1A) agonist LY 228729 in prenatally benzodiazepine-exposed rats

• Published in: European neuropsychopharmacology Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 27 - 32
• Main Authors: Cannizzaro, C, Cannizzaro, E, Gagliano, M, Mineo, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.02.1998
• Subjects: 5-HT(1A) agonist; Alprazolam - pharmacology; Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents - pharmacology; Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology; Benzodiazepines; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Diazepam - pharmacology; Ergolines - pharmacology; Female; Forced swim test; Injections, Subcutaneous; Locomotor activity; Male; Motor Activity - drug effects; Pregnancy; Prenatal exposure; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Serotonin Receptor Agonists - pharmacology; Stereotyped Behavior - drug effects; Swimming; Forced swim test; 5-HT(1A) agonist; Prenatal exposure; Benzodiazepines; Locomotor activity
• ISSN: 0924-977X; 1873-7862
• DOI: 10.1016/S0924-977X(97)00038-2

Locomotor activity and antidepressant-like effect in the forced swim test (FST) of 5-HT(1A) agonist LY 228729 were investigated in adult rats prenatally exposed at doses of diazepam (DZ) and alprazolam (ALP) which induce persistent downregulation of GABA/benzodiazepine (BZ) receptors. Prenatal exposure to ALP and DZ did not modify the efficacy of subchronic LY 228729 to decrease immobility time in the FST. Prenatal DZ and ALP potentiated the facilitatory effect of subchronic LY 228729 on locomotor activity; prenatal DZ was more effective than prenatal ALP. Moreover, prenatal DZ increased stereotypic movements induced by LY 228729. These data suggest that the persistent downregulation of GABA/BZ receptors, induced by prenatal BZs, does not play a role in the anti-immobility effect in the FST of 5-HT(1A) agonist LY 228729 while it can increase locomotor activity and stereotypic movements. Moreover, this study indicates that increases in locomotor activity do not seem to influence the anti-immobility effect in the FST of LY 228729 in rats.