Why Does Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use Cause Cognitive Impairment?

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Key TakeawaysIt’s been known for decades that long-term use of the psychoactive drugs benzodiazepines can lead to addiction and cognitive impairment, especially in older people.In a recent study, researchers pinpointed the cellular mechanism to explain this effect.Experts recommend looking at alternative treatments before taking benzodiazepines for anxiety or insomnia.

Key Takeaways

It’s been known for decades that long-term use of the psychoactive drugs benzodiazepines can lead to addiction and cognitive impairment, especially in older people.In a recent study, researchers pinpointed the cellular mechanism to explain this effect.Experts recommend looking at alternative treatments before taking benzodiazepines for anxiety or insomnia.

Benzodiazepines(sometimes called “benzos”) are a class ofpsychoactive drugsthat may be prescribed for conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. Benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium, Ducene) and triazolam (Halcion) are widely used and considered to be effective, but are not safe as a long-term treatment.

Scientists had already found that taking benzodiazepines for a long time can lead to physical dependence and cognitive impairment, particularly in older patients. But until recently, the cellular mechanism behind this effect wasn’t established, says Mario M. Dorostkar, PhD, from LMU’s Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).

Dorostkar was one of the lead researchers on an animal study, published inNature Neuroscience, which demonstrated that the active ingredient in benzodiazepines results in a loss of neural connections in the brain.

A Closer Look at the Study

The scientists administered a daily sleep-inducing dose of the benzodiazepine diazepam to mice. After several weeks, they found that the mice had suffered synapse loss and cognitive impairment. When the diazepam treatment was stopped the effect persisted for some time, but was ultimately reversible.

It’s all due to a specific protein, known as the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO). Benzodizepines bind to this protein on the surface of cell organelles of the microglia (the first immune cells to respond when something goes wrong in the brain). As the study authors explain, these cells are activated, which leads to the deterioration and recovery of synapses (connections between nerve cells).

The researchers believe that the study could have effects on how sleep disorders and anxiety are treated in people atrisk of dementia.

Due to the effect of long-term benzodiazepine use on cognition, several alternatives are available. “These include drugs with different mechanisms of action as well as behavioural approaches, depending on the underlying condition,” says Dorostkar. He recommends that people currently taking benzodiazepines discuss whether alternatives can be considered with their prescribing physician.

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Alternatives to Medication for Anxiety and Insomnia

While physicians may still prescribe benzodiazepine and other medications for anxiety and insomnia, other treatment options are available.

Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT) is a form of talking therapy aimed at changing the way a person thinks and behaves, to help reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders.

“CBT-i (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia) is a non-medication approach to treating insomnia,” says psychotherapistAnnie Miller, LCSW.

It helps to change thinking patterns and behaviors around sleep, with the cognitive piece focusing on beliefs and emotions around sleep and insomnia and the behavioral component helping to developing new habits through sleep scheduling and techniques that improve sleep drive, Miller explains.

CBT-i is a short-term therapy that typically takes about 6-8 sessions, and studies show that it can be up to 80 percent effective in reducing the symptoms of insomnia.One meta-analysis, published inSleep Medicine Reviews, found that CBT-i had significant positive effects on insomnia severity, sleep efficiency, and sleep quality.

Annie Miller, LCSWMany physicians are now suggesting therapy before prescribing medications, particularly for sleep problems.

Annie Miller, LCSW

Many physicians are now suggesting therapy before prescribing medications, particularly for sleep problems.

When it comes to more generalized anxiety, standard CBT can be very helpful, Miller says. Mindfulness can also be very beneficial when coping with anxiety.

“It is very important that people know therapeutic treatments are an option, as opposed to starting with medication,” Miller says. “Therapy typically doesn’t have any side effects and can provide more long-term results. Many physicians are now suggesting therapy before prescribing medications, particularly for sleep problems. CBT-i is now the first-line treatment for many providers.”

An article published inNeurotherapeuticsin 2019 advises doctors to be “very cautious” before prescribing benzodiazepines to older patients and recommends pursuing good sleep hygiene to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety or insomnia.

What This Means For YouIf you’re currently taking benzodiazepines for anxiety or insomnia, speak to your healthcare provider about alternatives. You may require another type of medication if your condition is severe, but in many cases anxiety and insomnia can be managed with non-medicinal therapies.You could also check out the wide range of mental health apps available, such asCalm(good for meditation),MoodMission(this one has evidence-based CBT activities for anxiety), andTalkspace, which can connect you with an online therapist.

What This Means For You

If you’re currently taking benzodiazepines for anxiety or insomnia, speak to your healthcare provider about alternatives. You may require another type of medication if your condition is severe, but in many cases anxiety and insomnia can be managed with non-medicinal therapies.You could also check out the wide range of mental health apps available, such asCalm(good for meditation),MoodMission(this one has evidence-based CBT activities for anxiety), andTalkspace, which can connect you with an online therapist.

If you’re currently taking benzodiazepines for anxiety or insomnia, speak to your healthcare provider about alternatives. You may require another type of medication if your condition is severe, but in many cases anxiety and insomnia can be managed with non-medicinal therapies.

You could also check out the wide range of mental health apps available, such asCalm(good for meditation),MoodMission(this one has evidence-based CBT activities for anxiety), andTalkspace, which can connect you with an online therapist.

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6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).Long-term benzodiazepine use attacks synapses.Shi Y, Cui M, Ochs K, et al.Long-term diazepam treatment enhances microglial spine engulfment and impairs cognitive performance via the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO).Nat Neurosci. 2022;25(3):317-329. doi: 10.1038/s41593-022-01013-9Crönlein T, Zulley J.The options available in cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent chronification of insomnia.EPMA Journal. 2011;2(3):309-314. doi:10.1007/s13167-011-0095-9van Straten A, van der Zweerde T, Kleiboer A, Cuijpers P, Morin CM, Lancee J.Cognitive and behavioral therapies in the treatment of insomnia: A meta-analysis.Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2018;38:3-16. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2017.02.001DeKosky ST, Williamson JB.The long and the short of benzodiazepines and sleep medications: Short-term benefits, long-term harms?Neurotherapeutics. 2020;17(1):153-155. doi:10.1007/s13311-019-00827-zCDC.Tips for better sleep.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).Long-term benzodiazepine use attacks synapses.Shi Y, Cui M, Ochs K, et al.Long-term diazepam treatment enhances microglial spine engulfment and impairs cognitive performance via the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO).Nat Neurosci. 2022;25(3):317-329. doi: 10.1038/s41593-022-01013-9Crönlein T, Zulley J.The options available in cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent chronification of insomnia.EPMA Journal. 2011;2(3):309-314. doi:10.1007/s13167-011-0095-9van Straten A, van der Zweerde T, Kleiboer A, Cuijpers P, Morin CM, Lancee J.Cognitive and behavioral therapies in the treatment of insomnia: A meta-analysis.Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2018;38:3-16. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2017.02.001DeKosky ST, Williamson JB.The long and the short of benzodiazepines and sleep medications: Short-term benefits, long-term harms?Neurotherapeutics. 2020;17(1):153-155. doi:10.1007/s13311-019-00827-zCDC.Tips for better sleep.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).Long-term benzodiazepine use attacks synapses.Shi Y, Cui M, Ochs K, et al.Long-term diazepam treatment enhances microglial spine engulfment and impairs cognitive performance via the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO).Nat Neurosci. 2022;25(3):317-329. doi: 10.1038/s41593-022-01013-9Crönlein T, Zulley J.The options available in cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent chronification of insomnia.EPMA Journal. 2011;2(3):309-314. doi:10.1007/s13167-011-0095-9van Straten A, van der Zweerde T, Kleiboer A, Cuijpers P, Morin CM, Lancee J.Cognitive and behavioral therapies in the treatment of insomnia: A meta-analysis.Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2018;38:3-16. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2017.02.001DeKosky ST, Williamson JB.The long and the short of benzodiazepines and sleep medications: Short-term benefits, long-term harms?Neurotherapeutics. 2020;17(1):153-155. doi:10.1007/s13311-019-00827-zCDC.Tips for better sleep.

German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).Long-term benzodiazepine use attacks synapses.

Shi Y, Cui M, Ochs K, et al.Long-term diazepam treatment enhances microglial spine engulfment and impairs cognitive performance via the mitochondrial 18 kDa translocator protein (TSPO).Nat Neurosci. 2022;25(3):317-329. doi: 10.1038/s41593-022-01013-9

Crönlein T, Zulley J.The options available in cognitive behavioral therapy to prevent chronification of insomnia.EPMA Journal. 2011;2(3):309-314. doi:10.1007/s13167-011-0095-9

van Straten A, van der Zweerde T, Kleiboer A, Cuijpers P, Morin CM, Lancee J.Cognitive and behavioral therapies in the treatment of insomnia: A meta-analysis.Sleep Medicine Reviews. 2018;38:3-16. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2017.02.001

DeKosky ST, Williamson JB.The long and the short of benzodiazepines and sleep medications: Short-term benefits, long-term harms?Neurotherapeutics. 2020;17(1):153-155. doi:10.1007/s13311-019-00827-z

CDC.Tips for better sleep.

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