Benzodiazepines
1
Reactions 469 - 18 Sep 1993 Benzodiazepines Dependence associated with learning and memory impairment in elderly patients: clinical study Results of a US study suggest that benzodiazepine dependence in patients ≥ 55 years of age can cause learning and memory impairment which persists after benzodiazepine detoxification. The Auditory-Verbal Learning Test was used to determine learning and memory abilities in 20 detoxified benzodiazepine-dependent and 20 detoxified alcohol- dependent patients a mean of 6–10 days after detoxification, and in 22 controls; the mean age of all participants was 66 years. Benzodiazepine-dependent patients showed more difficulty with learning new material and short- and long- term memory recall of this material than patients in the alcohol-dependent or control groups. All patients in the benzodiazepine group had been using the agents daily for several years; 10 patients for > 5 years. Six patients were using low to moderately high doses (0–39 mg/day of diazepam equivalent) and 14 were using moderately high to high doses (≥ 40 mg/day diazepam equivalent). 19 patients were using benzodiazepines with short to intermediate half-lives (most commonly alprazolam and lorazepam). Three patients were using a longer-acting agent (diazepam) and 13 were using > 1 benzodiazepine. Author comment: ‘Whether this central nervous system impairment will diminish or resolve with time is unknown.’ Rummans TA, et al. Learning and memory impairment in older, detoxified, benzodiazepine-dependent patients. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 68: 731-737, Aug 1993 800216902 1 Reactions 18 Sep 1993 No. 469 0114-9954/10/0469-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved
Transcript of Benzodiazepines
Reactions 469 - 18 Sep 1993
Benzodiazepines
Dependence associated with learning and memoryimpairment in elderly patients: clinical study
Results of a US study suggest that benzodiazepinedependence in patients ≥ 55 years of age can causelearning and memory impairment which persists afterbenzodiazepine detoxification.
The Auditory-Verbal Learning Test was used todetermine learning and memory abilities in 20 detoxifiedbenzodiazepine-dependent and 20 detoxified alcohol-dependent patients a mean of 6–10 days afterdetoxification, and in 22 controls; the mean age of allparticipants was 66 years.
Benzodiazepine-dependent patients showed moredifficulty with learning new material and short- and long-term memory recall of this material than patients in thealcohol-dependent or control groups.
All patients in the benzodiazepine group had beenusing the agents daily for several years; 10 patients for> 5 years. Six patients were using low to moderatelyhigh doses (0–39 mg/day of diazepam equivalent) and14 were using moderately high to high doses (≥ 40mg/day diazepam equivalent). 19 patients were usingbenzodiazepines with short to intermediate half-lives(most commonly alprazolam and lorazepam). Threepatients were using a longer-acting agent (diazepam)and 13 were using > 1 benzodiazepine.
Author comment: ‘Whether this central nervoussystem impairment will diminish or resolve with time isunknown.’Rummans TA, et al. Learning and memory impairment in older, detoxified,benzodiazepine-dependent patients. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 68: 731-737, Aug1993 800216902
1
Reactions 18 Sep 1993 No. 4690114-9954/10/0469-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved
