Abstract
Chronic benzodiazepine administration has been reported to lead to behavioral tolerance and, in some cases, downregulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A))-receptor binding and function. So-called 'partial agonist' benzodiazepines appear to cause limited benzodiazepine effects and little or no behavioral tolerance. To evaluate behavioral and neurochemical effects of a partial agonist during chronic administration, we treated mice with Ro16-6028, 0.25, 1 and 4 mg/kg/day by implanted osmotic pumps, evaluating open-field activity and binding and function at the GABA(A) receptor. All three doses of Ro16-6028 caused dose-dependent decreases in vertical movements (rearing), and no tolerance was observed up to 14 days at any dose. In contrast, tolerance occurred to the effects of clonazepam at 7 days. Benzodiazepine receptor occupancy was essentially complete in all brain regions evaluated at doses of 1 and 4 mg/kg/day. Benzodiazepine binding in vivo at 0.25 mg/kg/day was transiently decreased in cortex at 7 days but was unchanged in any other brain region. Benzodiazepine binding in cortex in vitro was unchanged over time at any of the three doses, as were t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding and binding at the low- and high-affinity GABA sites measured by [3H]SR-95531. GABA(A) receptor function as determined by muscimol-stimulated chloride uptake was unchanged over 14 days of administration at Ro16-6028 doses of 0.25 and 4 mg/kg/day. Concentrations of Ro16-6028 were constant during administration at 1 and 4 mg/kg/day. These data indicate that chronic Ro16-6028 causes dose-dependent behavioral effects without the development of tolerance and that, despite substantial or complete benzodiazepine receptor occupancy, few effects occur at the GABA(A) receptor. These findings are in marked contrast to tolerance and receptor down-regulation observed during treatment with other benzodiazepine agonists.