Neural basis of benzodiazepine reward: requirement for α2 containing GABAA receptors in the nucleus accumbens.

ABSTRACT: Despite long-standing concerns regarding the abuse liability of benzodiazepines, the mechanisms underlying properties of benzodiazepines that may be relevant to abuse are still poorly understood. Earlier studies showed that compounds selective for α1-containing GABAA receptors (α1GABAARs) are abused by humans and self-administered by animals, and that these receptors may underlie a preference for benzodiazepines as well as neuroplastic changes observed in the ventral tegmental area following benzodiazepine administration. There is some evidence, however, that even L-838, 417, a compound with antagonistic properties at α1GABAARs and agonistic properties at the other three benzodiazepine-sensitive GABAA receptor subtypes, is self-administered, and that the α2GABAARs may have a role in benzod

SUBMITTER: Engin E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4059902 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature