Calming the Brain: Benzodiazepines and Related Drugs from Laboratory to Clinic

by Adam Doble, Ian L. Martin, David J. Nutt

This book covers the entire field of research in the area of minor tranquillisers and its application to current clinical practice in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia These drugs are principally the benzodiaze pines and related drugs with a similar mechanism of action, such as zolpidem and zopiclone The molecular mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is described, focussing on the interaction of these drugs with the different isoform of the GABAA receptor, and the consequences of this for brain function Recent advances in this knowledge have provided a framework for defining the physiochemical nature of the interaction between such drugs and their receptor protein, and thus pave the way for the design of new anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs The animal models available for evaluating the potential of such new therapeutic agents in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia are discussed Furthermore, understanding of the physiological regulation of the GABAA receptor may provide insights into the aetiopathology of these diseases The clinical use of benzodiazepines and related drugs in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy and as anaesthetics is explored The advantages and limitations of such treatments are discussed, and the impact of newer non-benzodiazepine drugs evaluated A chapter is devoted to the issue of dependence and addiction to benzodiazepines, which covers potential biological mechanisms of dependence, the clinical pertinence of tolerance and dependence, and evaluates treatment options that may minimise the risk of dependence

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 2003

Reviews

[Matthew Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

actually factual not undeserved farce. The actions and history of sedative such as bromides and barbiturates, chloral hydrate, benzodiazepines etc and the slight return in use of chloral hydrate partial as results of undeserved criticism of benzodiazepines. However this book does not advocate for or against their use. It does what books in this subject rarely,do anymore. Elaborates. Informs. Makes you a little more intelligent. A little less gullible to hype to misuse to safe effective use of these drugs as proper medication.