Mecanismo celular y molecular de la adicciÓn a benzodiacepinas

Abstract

Benzodiazepines (BZD) are a group of psychiatric drugs widely prescribed since their introduction in the clinical practice in the early 60́s. These drugs have a high therapeutic efficacy in the anxiety treatment. The pharmacological action of BZD at molecular level over the Central Nervous System is very well established. However, there has always been a strong concern from different health systems about the addictive effects that the BZD may cause. The aim of this article is to give a precise description about the BZD molecular mechanism of addiction that has been resolved in recent time, based on results obtained in basic research, as well provide information about the epidemiological impact of the medical use of the BZD over the population.