lecture 6 Flashcards
what are benzos?
most frequently prescribed psychotropic medications for anxiety disorders including panic disorders
benzos are a:
CNS depressant with sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic effects
most commonly prescribed benzos:
xanax, lonopin, librium, valium, Ativan, restoril, halcion
benzos mechanism of action:
modulation of the GABA-A receptors
where do benzos bind at?
the interface of the receptor and licks it into a configuration that increases its affinity for GABA
benzos do not alter the production of GABA, but instead it:
potentiates its inhibitory actions by enhancing receptor binding which leads to reception in neuronal excitability and slows down the CNS resulting in a calming effect
benzos weaken the:
interneurons in the brains ventral segmental area
benzos also help prevent excessive:
dopamine levels by down regulating the firing rates of dopamine producing neurons
lessening of GABA restraint on dopaminergic neurons equals an”
increase in dopamine release
before benzos, which medication were prescribed?
barbiturates CNS depressant
why are barbiturates dangerous?
they suppress areas of the brain involved in heart rate and respiration
benzos were so popular in the 50s because:
of their improved safety profile when compared to barbiturates which caused respiratory depression
benzos were heavily marketed for:
regular daily stressors and pathologizing normal emotions and conditions specifically targeting women
withdrawal symptoms of benzos:
memory loss, seizures, disruption in menstrual cycle, increase in psychological symptoms, death in pre clinical studies
xanax works faster than:
valium and therefore used for panic
benzos are shown to selectively impair:
the ability to encode new info with semantic and procedural memory
Benzo use is associated with:
emergency room visits, suicidal ideation, use of other substances, and mental disorders
benzo misuse without disorders is associated with
younger age, males, poor educational attainment, being uninsured and unemployed, being single, being poor, having suicidal ideation and other specific substance use problems
disorder for addiction to benzos:
sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytic use disorder
associated problems with benzos:
memory loss, tremors, severe depression, seizures
primary drivers of over prescribing benzos:
pharma marketing, incorrect DEA scheduling of an addictive substance, money/satisfaction surveys
which drug schedule are benzos in?
schedule 4 which is low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence
