IMIDAZOBENZODIAZEPINE RO15-4513 AUGMENTS ETHANOL-INDUCED WHEEL-RUNNING SUPPRESSION IN THE RAT

The ability of RO15‐4513 to block ethanol‐induced motor incapacitation and was assessed via ethanol‐induced suppression of wheel‐running. However, either ethanol or RO15‐4513 administration alone produced an equivalent decrease (75% and 72%, respectively) in wheel‐running performance. Administration of RO15‐4513 at 2.5, 1.25, 0.625, 0.312, 0.156, and 0.078 mg/kg doses produced a dose‐dependent suppression of wheel‐running. Finally, ethanol administration following pretreatment with RO15‐4513 (3.0 mg/kg) produced greater suppression of wheel‐running (89%) than ethanol administration alone (55%). These results demonstrate intrinsic suppressant effects of RO15‐4513, and the lack of generality in the previously reported antagonism of ethanol‐induced intoxication by RO15‐4513. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.