A behavioral examination of convulsant benzodiazepine and GABA antagonist, Ro 5-3663, and benzodiazepine-receptor antagonist Ro 15-1788.

The potential "anxiogenic" effects of convulsant benzodiazepine and GABA-antagonist, Ro 5-3663 and specific antagonist of benzodiazepine receptors, Ro 15-1788 were compared in the Geller-Seifter conflict paradigm. Chlordiazepoxide (CDP) (5 mg/kg) was used as a "positive" control. Both Ro 5-3663 (1 mg/kg) and Ro 15-1788 (10 mg/kg) antagonized the anticonflict effect of CDP. However, while Ro 15-1788 had a modest anticonflict potency. Ro 5-3663 had an anxiogenic effect in its own right.