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Hooked on benzodiazepines: GABAA receptor subtypes and addiction

Tan, Kelly R. and Rudolph, Uwe and Lüscher, Christian. (2011) Hooked on benzodiazepines: GABAA receptor subtypes and addiction. Trends in Neurosciences, 34 (4). pp. 188-197.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/50650/

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Abstract

Benzodiazepines are widely used clinically to treat anxiety and insomnia. They also induce muscle relaxation, control epileptic seizures, and can produce amnesia. Moreover, benzodiazepines are often abused after chronic clinical treatment and also for recreational purposes. Within weeks, tolerance to the pharmacological effects can develop as a sign of dependence. In vulnerable individuals with compulsive drug use, addiction will be diagnosed. Here we review recent observations from animal models regarding the cellular and molecular basis that might underlie the addictive properties of benzodiazepines. These data reveal how benzodiazepines, acting through specific GABA(A) receptor subtypes, activate midbrain dopamine neurons, and how this could hijack the mesolimbic reward system. Such findings have important implications for the future design of benzodiazepines with reduced or even absent addiction liability.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Biozentrum > Former Organization Units Biozentrum > Physiopathology of basal ganglia neuronal subcircuits (Tan)
UniBasel Contributors:Tan, Kelly
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0166-2236
e-ISSN:1878-108X
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:30 Nov 2017 07:41
Deposited On:30 Nov 2017 07:41

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