Benzodiazepines and amphetamine on avoidance behaviour in mice

Abstract

Six benzodiazepine derivatives, given alone or in combination with amphetamine, were tested in mice subjected to five 100-trial avoidance sessions in the shuttle-box. All derivatives, execpt bromazepam, showed some facilitating effects on avoidance responding when given alone. Facilitation was particularly evident following the administration of chlordiazepoxide (2.5 mg/kg), medazepam (10 mg/kg) and nitrazepam (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg). Favourable effects were obtained by combining each benzodiazepine compound with amphetamine. The levels of avoidance respinses were usually higher under benzodiazepine-amphetamine combinations than under benzodiazepines alone.