Locus of Central Depressant Action of Some Benzodiazepine Analogues

Abstract

In midcollicular decerebrate cats, four benzodiazepine analogues, Ro 5-4023, Ro 5-3059 (nitrazepam), Ro 5-3350, Ro 5-6901 (Dalmane) were found to be very effective in blocking spinal polysynaptic reflexes. Subsequent to spinal cord transection during the period of drug-induced depression, these reflexes returned and became highly resistant to depression by these drugs. With stimulation experiments, these four agents depressed both the reticular facilitatory and inhibitory effects on the knee jerk. It was concluded that these drugs act mainly on supraspinal structures, most likely in the brainstem reticular system.