ArticlePloS one2023
Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 22 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
22 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 30 citations in OpenAlex.
- Joint Clinical Practice Guideline on Benzodiazepine Tapering: Considerations When Risks Outweigh Benefits.Journal of general internal medicine · 2025Guideline
- Longer Duration of Drug Elimination and Withdrawal Symptoms in Overweight Patients Undergoing Detoxification for Benzodiazepine Dependence.Alpha psychiatry · 2026Article
- Pharmacological principles for safe benzodiazepine and Z-drug dose reduction.Psychological medicine · 2026Review
- Combining anxiolytic activity of thymol and trans-ferulic acid: a potential GABAergic intervention.Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology · 2026Article
- Article
- Toward clarifying ASAM's inpatient and residential benzodiazepine tapering recommendations.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Benzodiazepine receptor agonist deprescribing principles for long-term use and dependence: modified Delphi recommendations from a multi-disciplinary expert panel.Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology · 2026Article
- Editorial Note: Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey.PloS one · 2026Article
- Benzodiazepine prescribing patterns among Medicare providers, 2017 to 2023.Frontiers in medicine · 2026Article
- Helping people to discontinue antipsychotics: if, when and how.Schizophrenia (Heidelberg, Germany) · 2025Review
- Institutional Corruption in the Political Economy of Global Mental Health: Challenges for Transformative Human Rights Praxis.Health and human rights · 2025Article
- Yes, and ….CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne · 2025Article
- 'I Wish It Were More Often Told to People Before They Are Prescribed These Medications How Hard It Is to Get Off Them': A Qualitative Descriptive Analysis of Free-Text Responses to a Survey on Reducing and Stopping Psychiatric Medication.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2025Article
- Alpha-2 agonists for refractory neurological symptoms in pediatric palliative care: a scoping review.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2025Review
- Benzos (as) needed: research into as-needed and intermittent benzodiazepines for anxiety is required for comprehensive best prescribing practices.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2025Review
- Hidden Costs: The Clinical and Research Pitfalls of Mistaking Antidepressant Withdrawal for Relapse.Psychotherapy and psychosomatics · 2025Article
- Long-term neurological consequences following benzodiazepine exposure: A scoping review.PloS one · 2025Article
- Fall Outcomes in Older Adults Following Benzodiazepine/Z-Drug Discontinuation: A Retrospective Cohort Study in an Academic Health System.Drugs & aging · 2024Article
- Prescribing and deprescribing guidance for benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine receptor agonist use in adults with depression, anxiety, and insomnia: an international scoping review.EClinicalMedicine · 2024Article
- 'We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …': A content analysis of free-text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use.Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy · 2024Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAcute benzodiazepine withdrawal has been described, but literature regarding the benzodiazepine-induced neurological injury that may result in enduring symptoms and life consequences is scant.
objectiveWe conducted an internet survey of current and former benzodiazepine users and asked about their symptoms and adverse life events attributed to benzodiazepine use.
methodsThis 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).
resultsThe 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. LIMITATIONS: This was a self-selected internet survey with no control group. No independent psychiatric diagnoses could be made in participants.
conclusionsMany 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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Registered trials
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