Neonatal tactile stimulation changes anxiety-like behavior and improves responsiveness of rats to diazepam

► Neonatal tactile stimulation (TS) enhanced the effects of the diazepam (DZP) in adulthood. ► TS+DZP treated rats showed lower plasma cortisol levels than other groups. ► TS+DZP treated rats showed increased plasma antioxidant defense. ► TS+DZP treated rats showed lower oxidative damage in brain tissues than other groups. ► Neonatal TS is able to change DZP responsiveness in adulthood.