Benzodiazepine effect on information processing in generalized anxiety disorder

The present investigation assessed 45 anxious neurotic adult patients treated double-blindly in three randomized drug groups; bromazepam, diazepam and placebo. Non-signal, simple and complex signal stimuli were presented to monitor electrodermal activity changes at baseline, 4 h, 1 week and 14 days of treatment. The results indicate that patients with generalized anxiety disorder treated with bromazepam developed decreased skin conductance during the presentation of visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli presentations. Such skin conductance changes were not significant for patients on diazepam and placebo. Future clinical and research implications of these perceptual and psychophysiological results are discussed in conjunction with the usage of a functional-realistic-instrumental paradigm rather than studying anxiety on an attentional-arousal continuum.