EFFECT OF CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE, DIAZEPAM AND NITRAZEPAM ON CATECHOLAMINE METABOLISM IN REGIONS OF RAT BRAIN

The effect of chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and nitrazepam on catecholamine and metabolite levels in regions of the rat brain has been studied using fluorimetric and radioisotopic techniques. The results indicate that these minor tranquillizers decrease noradrenaline turnover in the thalamus-midbrain, cortex and cerebellum regions, and dopamine turnover in the striate region. These drugs also antagonized the increased catecholamines turnover, in the above regions due to electro-footshock stress. It is suggested that the mode of action of chlordiazepoxide, diazepam and nitrazepam involves catecholamines in the central nervous system. © 1969.