Studying How Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use Affects Brain Function and Cognition Using fNIRS and PETMRI Scans

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effects of long-term benzodiazepine BZD use on cognitive function and related brain changes. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia, but recent warnings highlight potential risks such as neurocognitive impairment. This study aims to compare brain activity, metabolism, and inflammation between people who use BZDs long-term and those who do not, using advanced brain imaging techniques to better understand how BZDs affect the brain. The study involves three groups people who have used benzodiazepines continuously for at least three months, individuals who have never used benzodiazepines, and healthy controls. Researchers will use functional near-infrared spectroscopy fNIRS to measure brain oxygen levels during cognitive tasks, along with PETMRI scans to assess brain metabolism and neuroinflammation. These imaging tests will be combined with mood and cognitive assessments to provide a comprehensive view of brain function. Participants will be followed for three years, during which brain hemodynamic activity will be monitored with fNIRS. Neuroimaging biomarkers will be tracked over time using structural, functional, and multimodal MRI and PET scans. Cognitive and mood evaluations include the Mini-Mental State Examination, Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Scales, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. This thorough monitoring will help researchers measure changes in brain function related to benzodiazepine use and understand its impact on cognition.

Benzodiazepine Impact on Cognitive Function: fNIRs and PET/MRI Study