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In the elderly, long-term benzodiazepine therapy is a risk factor for amplifying cognitive decline, [29] although gradual withdrawal is associated with improved cognitive status. [30] A study of alprazolam found that 8 weeks administration of alprazolam resulted in deficits that were detectable after several weeks but not after 3.5 years. [31]
The long-term effects of benzodiazepines are still not fully understood. Long-term benzodiazepine use is associated with attentional and visuospatial functional impairments. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can lead to improved alertness and decreased forgetfulness in the elderly. Withdrawal led to statistically significant improvements in ...
Benzodiazepines potentiate the action of GABA, [54] by binding a site between the α and γ subunits of the 5-subunit receptor [55] thereby increasing the frequency of the GABA-gated chloride channel opening in the presence of GABA. [56] When potentiation is sustained by long-term use, neuroadaptations occur which result in decreased GABAergic ...
Anxiety medications called benzodiazepines like alprazolam (Xanax ... But these may only be used for brief periods due to the risk of misuse, dependence, and long-term negative effects on ...
Benzodiazepine use disorder (BUD), also called misuse or abuse, [1] is the use of benzodiazepines without a prescription and/or for recreational purposes, which poses risks of dependence, withdrawal and other long-term effects. [2] [3] Benzodiazepines are one of the more common prescription drugs used recreationally.
Most benzodiazepines are only recommended for short-term use. When used for the long term, treatment with benzodiazepines can lead to dependence, addiction and abuse.
A number of studies have drawn an association between long-term benzodiazepine use and neuro-degenerative disease, particularly Alzheimer's disease. [150] It has been determined that long-term use of benzodiazepines is associated with increased dementia risk, even after controlling for protopathic bias. [13]
The involvement of glutamate in benzodiazepine dependence explains long-term potentiation as well as neuro-kindling phenomena. There is some evidence that a prior history of CNS depressant dependence (e.g. alcohol) increases the risk of dependence on benzodiazepines.