Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey

<h4>Background</h4> Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal has been described, but literature regarding the benzodiazepine-induced neurological injury that may result in enduring symptoms and life consequences is scant. <h4>Objective</h4> We conducted an internet survey of current a...

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Main Authors: Alexis D. Ritvo, D. E. Foster, Christy Huff, A. J. Reid Finlayson, Bernard Silvernail, Peter R. Martin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10309976/?tool=EBI
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author Alexis D. Ritvo
D. E. Foster
Christy Huff
A. J. Reid Finlayson
Bernard Silvernail
Peter R. Martin
author_facet Alexis D. Ritvo
D. E. Foster
Christy Huff
A. J. Reid Finlayson
Bernard Silvernail
Peter R. Martin
author_sort Alexis D. Ritvo
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4> Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal has been described, but literature regarding the benzodiazepine-induced neurological injury that may result in enduring symptoms and life consequences is scant. <h4>Objective</h4> We conducted an internet survey of current and former benzodiazepine users and asked about their symptoms and adverse life events attributed to benzodiazepine use. <h4>Methods</h4> This is a secondary analysis of the largest survey ever conducted with 1,207 benzodiazepine users from benzodiazepine support groups and health/wellness sites who completed the survey. Respondents included those still taking benzodiazepines (n = 136), tapering (n = 294), or fully discontinued (n = 763). <h4>Results</h4> The survey asked about 23 specific symptoms and more than half of the respondents who experienced low energy, distractedness, memory loss, nervousness, anxiety, and other symptoms stated that these symptoms lasted a year or longer. These symptoms were often reported as de novo and distinct from the symptoms for which the benzodiazepines were originally prescribed. A subset of respondents stated that symptoms persisted even after benzodiazepines had been discontinued for a year or more. Adverse life consequences were reported by many respondents as well. <h4>Limitations</h4> This was a self-selected internet survey with no control group. No independent psychiatric diagnoses could be made in participants. <h4>Conclusions</h4> Many prolonged symptoms subsequent to benzodiazepine use and discontinuation (benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction) have been shown in a large survey of benzodiazepine users. Benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) has been proposed as a term to describe symptoms and associated adverse life consequences that may emerge during benzodiazepine use, tapering, and continue after benzodiazepine discontinuation. Not all people who take benzodiazepines will develop BIND and risk factors for BIND remain to be elucidated. Further pathogenic and clinical study of BIND is needed.
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spelling doaj.art-677e95cab88749349d45056bdb7a555f2023-07-04T05:32:59ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01186Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A surveyAlexis D. RitvoD. E. FosterChristy HuffA. J. Reid FinlaysonBernard SilvernailPeter R. Martin<h4>Background</h4> Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal has been described, but literature regarding the benzodiazepine-induced neurological injury that may result in enduring symptoms and life consequences is scant. <h4>Objective</h4> We conducted an internet survey of current and former benzodiazepine users and asked about their symptoms and adverse life events attributed to benzodiazepine use. <h4>Methods</h4> This is a secondary analysis of the largest survey ever conducted with 1,207 benzodiazepine users from benzodiazepine support groups and health/wellness sites who completed the survey. Respondents included those still taking benzodiazepines (n = 136), tapering (n = 294), or fully discontinued (n = 763). <h4>Results</h4> The survey asked about 23 specific symptoms and more than half of the respondents who experienced low energy, distractedness, memory loss, nervousness, anxiety, and other symptoms stated that these symptoms lasted a year or longer. These symptoms were often reported as de novo and distinct from the symptoms for which the benzodiazepines were originally prescribed. A subset of respondents stated that symptoms persisted even after benzodiazepines had been discontinued for a year or more. Adverse life consequences were reported by many respondents as well. <h4>Limitations</h4> This was a self-selected internet survey with no control group. No independent psychiatric diagnoses could be made in participants. <h4>Conclusions</h4> Many prolonged symptoms subsequent to benzodiazepine use and discontinuation (benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction) have been shown in a large survey of benzodiazepine users. Benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) has been proposed as a term to describe symptoms and associated adverse life consequences that may emerge during benzodiazepine use, tapering, and continue after benzodiazepine discontinuation. Not all people who take benzodiazepines will develop BIND and risk factors for BIND remain to be elucidated. Further pathogenic and clinical study of BIND is needed.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10309976/?tool=EBI
spellingShingle Alexis D. Ritvo
D. E. Foster
Christy Huff
A. J. Reid Finlayson
Bernard Silvernail
Peter R. Martin
Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey
PLoS ONE
title Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey
title_full Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey
title_fullStr Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey
title_full_unstemmed Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey
title_short Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey
title_sort long term consequences of benzodiazepine induced neurological dysfunction a survey
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10309976/?tool=EBI
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