[Benzodiazepines: Consequences on memory in the elderly]

Studies conducted with a healthy voluntary population with a unique medication indicate that benzodiazepines (BZD) are known to induce memory deficits. However, this group does not correspond to the population usually using these medication on a regular basis, knowingly the elderly people. Few studies have been conducted with this target population to determine the impact of BZD on their memory. However, some findings suggest that there are important consequences on the functioning of memory of the elderly people taking BZD. The current data go as far as suggesting that BZD exacerbate memory deficits in the elderly. This could even constitute a risk factor that could hasten cognitive decline and thus increase development of dementia.