Riluzole does not affect hippocampal synaptic plasticity and spatial memory,which are impaired by diazepam in rats

We have previously demonstrated that riluzole has anxiolytic-like effects in rats,without affecting spontaneous alternation performance in the y-maze test. however,the effects of riluzole on hippocampal synaptic plasticity were still unclear. in this study,we showed that bath application of riluzole did not impair long-term potentiation and long-term depression,whereas a benzodiazepine anxiolytic,diazepam,significantly impaired them. furthermore,the acquisition of spatial memory in the morris water maze test was impaired in diazepam-treated but not riluzole-treated rats. we thus provide further evidence for the potential usefulness of riluzole as an anxiolytic that does not cause amnesia. © 2013 the japanese pharmacological society.