title: Effects of tapering of long-term benzodiazepines on cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia receiving a second-generation antipsychotic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high use of long-term benzodiazepines (BZDs) with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) has been identified as an important issue in the treatment of schizophrenia in Japan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of gradual reduction or discontinuation of daytime BZD use on cognitive function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with chronic schizophrenia receiving an SGA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty schizophrenic patients who had received an SGA with concomitant BZDs for at least 3 months were enrolled. Before and 4 weeks after tapering of daytime BZDs, the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia Japanese-language version (BACS-J) and the Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale Japanese-language version (SQLS-J) were administered. Clinical evaluation also included the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). To compare for practice effects on the BACS-J, 10 patients with chronic schizophrenia were assessed without tapering BZDs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BZDs were reduced or discontinued safely in most patients, and no emergent withdrawal symptoms were observed. Significant improvements were shown in verbal memory, working memory, and composite score, as measured by the BACS-J without practice effects. In addition, the motivation/energy score on the SQLS-J, the negative symptoms and total scores on the PANSS significantly improved after tapering BZDs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reduction or discontinuation of long-term daytime use of BZDs may be warranted in patients with schizophrenia treated with SGAs, as it may improve cognitive function, subjective QOL, and psychiatric symptoms with no significant adverse effects.
authors: Department of Neuropsychiatry, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan. r2kugimiya@marianna-u.ac.jp
authors: Rei
authors: R
authors: Kitajima
authors: Seiya
authors: S
authors: Miyamoto
authors: Tomomi
authors: T
authors: Tenjin
authors: Kazuaki
authors: K
authors: Ojima
authors: Shin
authors: S
authors: Ogino
authors: Nobumi
authors: N
authors: Miyake
authors: Keisuke
authors: K
authors: Fujiwara
authors: Yasuyuki
authors: Y
authors: Funamoto
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Arai
authors: Sachiko
authors: S
authors: Tsukahara
authors: Yukie
authors: Y
authors: Ito
authors: Masanori
authors: M
authors: Tadokoro
authors: Kiriko
authors: K
authors: Anai
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Kaneda
authors: Noboru
authors: N
authors: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines