Transduction of the discriminative stimulus effects of zolpidem by GABA(A)/alpha1 receptors

Eur J Pharmacol. 2000 Oct 6;406(1):R9-R10. doi: 10.1016/s0014-2999(00)00669-5.

Abstract

Zolpidem is an imidazopyridine with high affinity at gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors expressing alpha1 subunits. In squirrel monkeys trained to discriminate a high dose of zolpidem (> or =3.0 mg/kg) from saline, zolpidem and another GABA(A)/alpha1 receptor-preferring agonist, zaleplon, substituted dose-dependently for zolpidem, whereas the non-selective agonists diazepam and triazolam were did not substitute at any dose tested. These findings offer the first evidence for a selective role of GABA(A)/alpha1 receptors in the interoceptive effects of high doses of zolpidem.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetamides / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Diazepam / pharmacology
  • Discrimination, Psychological / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • GABA Agonists / pharmacology*
  • GABA Modulators / pharmacology
  • GABA-A Receptor Agonists*
  • Male
  • Protein Subunits
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Saimiri
  • Triazolam / pharmacology
  • Zolpidem

Substances

  • Acetamides
  • GABA Agonists
  • GABA Modulators
  • GABA-A Receptor Agonists
  • Protein Subunits
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazolam
  • Zolpidem
  • Diazepam
  • zaleplon