Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

445
CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
445
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

361
Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
361
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone01:29

Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone

1.2K
Benzodiazepines are a class of anxiolytic drugs known for their rapid efficacy and high therapeutic-to-lethal dose ratio, but with a potential risk of drug dependence. These drugs are lipophilic, allowing for rapid absorption after oral administration, eventually reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, benzodiazepines bind to the allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. This binding enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. By doing so, they prevent...
1.2K
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

197
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
197
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

314
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
314
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

2.6K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
2.6K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Immunomodulatory effects of cannabis use: a multi-omics study in people living with HIV.

Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2026
Same author

Effect of oxycodone vs. morphine as first-line opioid on new persistent opioid use after orthopaedic surgery: A prospective sequential cohort study.

British journal of clinical pharmacology·2026
Same author

Recovery Outcomes and Treatment Dropout in Patients with Complex Problems Undergoing Inpatient Addiction Treatment: A Naturalistic Prospective Cohort Study.

European addiction research·2026
Same author

Successful hepatitis C elimination through decentralized treatment in Dutch addiction care: A RE-AIM based evaluation.

Drug and alcohol dependence·2026
Same author

Craving in Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid Use Disorder: multidimensional Assessment Before and After Detoxification and Its Association with Relapse.

Substance use & misuse·2025
Same author

Low-Dose Buprenorphine Initiation for Opioid Agonist Therapy in Patients with Opioid Use Disorder: A Dutch Consensus Paper.

European addiction research·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2025

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development
07:02

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development

Published on: February 11, 2019

9.9K

Cognitive Functioning in Long-Term Benzodiazepine Users.

Shirley P G Zetsen1,2, Arnt F A Schellekens3,4,5, Erik P Paling3,6

  • 1School of Psychology, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

European Addiction Research
|August 30, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Long-term benzodiazepine use significantly impairs cognitive functions, particularly processing speed and attention. Women showed worse performance, influenced by anxiety, suggesting avoidance and tapering interventions are crucial.

Keywords:
Benzodiazepine useCognitionNeuropsychological assessmentSubstance use disorder

More Related Videos

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
10:13

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

13.8K
Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
07:30

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

Published on: August 18, 2020

6.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 30, 2025

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development
07:02

A Computerized Test Battery to Study Pharmacodynamic Effects on the Central Nervous System of Cholinergic Drugs in Early Phase Drug Development

Published on: February 11, 2019

9.9K
Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach
10:13

Assessment of Age-related Changes in Cognitive Functions Using EmoCogMeter, a Novel Tablet-computer Based Approach

Published on: February 14, 2014

13.8K
Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study
07:30

Brain Morphology of Cannabis Users With or Without Psychosis: A Pilot MRI Study

Published on: August 18, 2020

6.8K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders.
  • Long-term use is associated with cognitive side effects, but research is limited.
  • This study investigates cognitive performance in long-term benzodiazepine users.

Discussion:

  • Cognitive impairment was observed across multiple domains in long-term benzodiazepine users.
  • Processing speed and sustained attention were most affected.
  • Women exhibited poorer cognitive function, moderated by state anxiety.

Key Insights:

  • 20.7% of long-term benzodiazepine users showed cognitive impairment.
  • Cognitive deficits appear generalized rather than domain-specific.
  • Age and benzodiazepine dose did not significantly impact cognitive performance.

Outlook:

  • Findings support avoiding long-term benzodiazepine prescriptions.
  • Tailored interventions for benzodiazepine tapering are recommended.
  • Further research into sex-based differences and anxiety moderation is warranted.