Behavioral effects of triazolam and pregnanolone combinations: reinforcing and sedative-motor effects in female rhesus monkeys

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Benzodiazepines (BZs) are prescribed as anxiolytics, but their use is limited by side effects including abuse liability and daytime drowsiness. Neuroactive steroids are compounds that, like BZs, modulate the effects of GABA at the GABAA receptor. In a previous study, combinations of the BZ triazolam and neuroactive steroid pregnanolone produced supra-additive (i.e., greater than expected effects based on the drugs alone) anxiolytic effects but infra-additive (i.e., lower than expected effects based on the drugs alone) reinforcing effects in male rhesus monkeys, suggestive of an improved therapeutic window.

Methods

Female rhesus monkeys (n=4) self-administered triazolam, pregnanolone, and triazolam-pregnanolone combinations intravenously under a progressive-ra

SUBMITTER:  

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10213563 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature