Risk of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction may persist during and after use of Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction (BIND) is a collective term used to describe symptoms and associated adverse life consequences that are caused during benzodiazepine use, tapering, and continue after benzodiazepine discontinuation

Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal and its effective treatment are well documented. However, symptoms that persisted for months or even years after complete benzodiazepine discontinuation were observed decades ago and yet studies regarding the benzodiazepine-induced neurological injury that may result in enduring symptoms and life consequences is very less.

Researchers conducted an internet survey of current and former benzodiazepine users and asked about their symptoms and adverse life events attributed to benzodiazepine use. They found that more than half of the respondents who experienced low energy, distractedness, memory loss, nervousness, anxiety, and other symptoms reported that these symptoms lasted a year or longer and were often reported as de novo and distinct from the symptoms for which the benzodiazepines were originally prescribed. Some respondents reported that these symptoms persisted even following benzodiazepine discontinuation of a year or longer. Many respondents reported adverse life consequences as well. These findings are published in PLOS ONE.

The study was a secondary analysis and said to be the largest survey ever conducted with 1,207 benzodiazepine users from benzodiazepine support groups and health/wellness sites who completed the survey. Respondents included 136 those still taking benzodiazepines 294 tapering or 763 fully discontinued.

The key findings of the study are:

• The 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.

Researchers ended that many prolonged symptoms subsequent to benzodiazepine use and discontinuation (BIND) have been shown in a large survey of benzodiazepine users. However 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.

Reference: Ritvo AD, Foster DE, Huff C, Finlayson AJR, Silvernail B, Martin PR. Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey. PLoS One. 2023 Jun 29;18(6):e0285584. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285584. PMID: 37384788; PMCID: PMC10309976.