AMNESIA AFTER DIAZEPAM INFUSION INTO BASOLATERAL BUT NOT CENTRAL AMYGDALA OF RATTUS-NORVEGICUS

Recent findings indicate that the memory-impairing effects of benzodia zepines may preferentially involve the basolateral nucleus of the amyg dala. To test this hypothesis we examined the effects on pretrial inje ction of diazepam into the central as compared to the lateral/basolate ral amygdaloid nuclei on memory for a conditioned avoidance response. Rats were implanted bilaterally with cannulae directed to either the c entral or lateral/basolateral amygdaloid nuclei. Five to 7 days later they were trained on a multitrial inhibitory avoidance (stepdown) task to criterion and tested 48 h later. Fifteen minutes before training t hey were given an injection of either vehicle or diazepam (0.7 or 1.4 nmol) into the central or lateral/basolateral nuclei. Administration o f diazepam into the lateral/basolateral nuclei but not the central nuc leus induced anterograde amnesia. These results add to the body of dat a linking the GABA-benzodiazepine system of the lateral/basolateral nu clei to the amnestic effects induced by peripheral as well as central administration of benzodiazepines.