Computed axial brain tomograms in long-term benzodiazepine users.
Computed axial brain tomograms were recorded in four groups of subjects: (a) subjects who had never taken benzodiazepines (n = 25); (b) subjects who had taken them in the past for less than a year (n = 9); (c) patients currently taking benzodiazepines (n = 30); and (d) patients who had taken benzodiazepines in the past for at least a year and who had been withdrawn from medication for at least 6 months (n = 17). Ventricle-to-brain ratios and tissue absorption to X-rays were computed. No overall differences were found between the main groups. However, a few brain regions differed in density between nonusers and heavy users, particularly those taking lorazepam.
Moodley
P
P
St. John's Health Care Unit, Battersea, London, UK.
Golombok
S
S
Shine
P
P
Lader
M
M
D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines