Summary
The binding of3H-diazepam to membrane benzodiazepine receptors was examined in 2 psychogenetically selected lines of rats, which differ according to the selection criterion in avoidance behaviour (RHA/Verh>RLA/Verh) and, in addition, in emotionality (RHA/Verh<RLA/Verh). RHA/Verh rats tended to show higher specific diazepam binding in all CNS-subregions when compared with RLA/Verh animals. Significant differences were found in the cortex, striatum, hippocampus, thalamic region and pons-medulla. These results reinforce the contention that a system involving benzodiazepine receptors may play a role in emotional behaviour.
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We thank Prof. K. Bättig and Dr P. Driscoll (Behavioural Science Institute ETH Zurich) for their generous gift of RHA/Verh and RLA/Verh animals. We thank Dr Christeller and Dr Lüdin (Hoffmann La Roche, Basel) for statistical evaluations of the present data. We thank Miss M.L. Sfoggia for her help in taking care of the animals and for her technical assistance. C.G. is actually supported by ‘Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung’ (grant No. 3.855.0.79).
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Gentsch, C., Lichtsteiner, M. & Feer, H. 3H-Diazepam binding sites in roman high- and low-avoidance rats. Experientia 37, 1315–1316 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01948382
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01948382