Effects of muscimol alone and in combination with diazepam on shuttle-box performance in rats.

Muscimol and diazepam reduced the number of avoidance responses of rats subjected to a conditioned avoidance situation. Diazepam, in a dose which per se did not influence the conditioned responses, significantly increased the disruption of avoidance behavior induced by muscimol. Bicuculline counteracted the avoidance impairment produced by muscimol, whereas it did not influence the disruption of avoidance performance induced by diazepam. Results are discussed with reference to the role of GABAergic system in the behavioral effects of muscimol and diazepam.