Diazepam eliminates the anxious state induced by amputation of the vibrissae (a model for assessing anxious behavior)

Diazepam (0.5 mg/kg) prevented reduction of motor activity of rats (both vertical and horizontal components) induced by vibrissae amputation. It is suggested that the observed decrease in motility is related to development of a pathologic reaction of anxiety. The method is recommended as a test for anxious behaviour in experiment.