Possible mechanism of alprazolam-induced amnesia in mice.

Alprazolam produced anterograde as well as retrograde amnesia in mice assessed using elevated plus-maze. Flumazenil (10 mg/kg i.p.) attenuated anterograde and retrograde amnesia produced by alprazolam. It is proposed that anterograde amnesia produced by alprazolam may be mediated through the activation of benzodiazepine receptors. Retrograde amnesia of alprazolam may be mediated through the blockade of PAF receptors. Moreover, flumazenil facilitates learning and memory perhaps by modulating the release of PAF and consequently attenuated alprazolam and BN-50730-(PAF receptor antagonist)-induced retrograde amnesia.