How long-term benzodiazepine use leads to cognitive impairments (Direct “loss of neural connections”)

Medical Xpress / Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich / Nature Neuroscience ^ | Mar. 3, 2022 | Yuan Shi et al

[ConservativeMind]

Benzodiazepines are effective and widely used drugs for treating states of anxiety and sleep disorders. While short-term treatments are considered safe, their long-term intake can lead to physical dependence and, particularly in the case of older people, to cognitive impairments. The mechanisms by which benzodiazepines trigger these changes had previously been unknown. Researchers have now been able to demonstrate in an animal model that the active ingredient leads to the loss of neural connections in the brain.

A key role is played by immune cells of the brain known as microglia. Benzodiazepines bind to a specific protein, the translocator protein (TSPO), on the surface of cell organelles of the microglia. This binding activates the microglia, which then degrade and recycle synapses—that is, the connections between nerve cells. Experiments carried out by the scientists showed that the synapse loss in mice that had received a daily sleep-inducing dose of the benzodiazepine diazepam for several weeks led to cognitive impairments.

"It was known that microglia play an important role in eliminating synapses both during brain development and in neurodegenerative diseases," say Dr. Yuan Shi and Mochen Cui, co-authors of the study. "But what really surprised us was that such well-researched drugs as benzodiazepines influence this process." When diazepam treatment was discontinued, the effect persisted for some time, but was ultimately reversible.

In the opinion of the researchers, the study could have effects on how sleep disorders and anxiety are treated in people at risk of dementia. "Drugs that are known to have no binding affinity to TSPO should be preferred where possible," say the authors.

[ConservativeMind]

Alternatives, depending on the benzodiazepine use, include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (for anxiety) and “Z-drugs” (for insomnia).

[ConservativeMind]

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[Delta 21]

Friggen HATE benzos.

[kelly4c]

What are Z drugs? I take low dose xanax now and then. My dad has taken a different benzo for seizure disorder most of his life and now has pretty bad dementia.

[ConservativeMind]

Lunesta, Ambien, and Sonata are among the “Z-drugs.”

[kelly4c]

I don’t trust sleeping pills like ambien so hopefully my limited use of a benzo causes no long term issue. Doc wanted me to do Zoloft but nah. I’m pretty picky with medication.

[Bobalu]

I’ve had Ambien and Xanax....both are awful. I can’t imagine wanting to abuse these sorts of things.

[oblomov]

Z-drugs are benzo derivatives, so they might have the same effect.

[Mariner]

Benzodiazepines are the most addictive substances on the planet.

Shoot any doctor that tries to prescribe them to you.

Let me testify...

[jmacusa]

Ambien isn’t a benzo.

[ConservativeMind]

Exactly true, which is what I said.

[SheepWhisperer]

within the first two or three dates, I flat out ask a woman if she takes valium, or xanax. If yes, It’s the last date, but, “we can be friends”.

Seen too many shenanigans on that road to travel it again.

...that is all

[Albion Wilde]

This was the drug that almost destroyed Jordan Peterson:

Jordan Peterson says he was suicidal, addicted to benzos