Effects of alprazolam on fear-related behavioral, hormonal, and catecholamine responses in infant rhesus monkeys

Life Sci. 1991;49(26):2031-44. doi: 10.1016/0024-3205(91)90646-s.

Abstract

We tested the effects of various doses of the triazolobenzodiazepine alprazolam on behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical responses of infant rhesus monkeys under three conditions of separation from their mothers: alone, in the presence of a human who stared at them, and in the presence of a human who avoided eye contact. Alprazolam affected stress-induced responses in all three of these classes. Unrelated to its effects on the stress response, alprazolam appears to reduce the function of brain dopamine systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Alprazolam / blood
  • Alprazolam / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Catecholamines / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Fear / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Growth Hormone / blood
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Neurosecretory Systems / drug effects*
  • Radioimmunoassay

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Growth Hormone
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Alprazolam