The Ro 15-1788 cue: Evidence for benzodiazepine agonist and inverse agonist properties

Abstract

Rats discriminating Ro 15–1788 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) from vehicle completely generalized this cue to typical benzodizepines, and partially generalized it to barbiturates, pentylenetetrazol, CGS 8216, β-CCM and PK 8165. CL 218 872, Ro 5–4864, phenytoine, progabide, propranolol, yohimbine and various CNS stimulants predominantly induced vehicle-appropriate responding. Chlordiazepoxide, pentobarbital, CL 218 872, PK 8165, pentylenetetrazol, CGS 8216 and β-CCM failed to block the Ro 15–1788 cue. Generalization to both anxiolytics/anticonvulsants and anxiogenics/(pro) convulsants suggests that Ro 15–1788 has benzodiazepine agonist and inverse agonist properties.