Impact of long-term benzodiazepine use on cognitive function
Assessing the Cognitive Effects of Chronic Benzodiazepine Use in Patients: A Comprehensive Study Using fNIRs and PET/MRI Technologies
This study is trying to see how long-term use of benzodiazepines affects thinking and brain health in people who have taken them for at least three months compared to those who haven't.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Dalian, Liaoning) |
| Trial ID | NCT06250842 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study investigates how long-term use of benzodiazepines affects cognitive function and related neuroimaging markers. It compares brain activation, metabolism, and neuroinflammation between individuals who have used benzodiazepines for at least three months and those who have not. The study employs functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to assess cortical activation during cognitive tasks, alongside FDG-PET imaging to evaluate brain metabolism and neuroinflammation. By combining these methodologies, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive effects associated with benzodiazepine use.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals who have been using benzodiazepines continuously for three months or more.
Not a fit: Patients with brain damage, severe systemic diseases, or recent acute cerebrovascular events may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help clarify the cognitive risks associated with long-term benzodiazepine use, potentially guiding safer prescribing practices.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on benzodiazepines and cognitive function, this comprehensive approach using fNIRS and PET imaging is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Continuous use of benzodiazepines for ≥3 months, matched with participants who have not taken benzodiazepines. 2. Education time ≥6 years. 3. Abstained from alcohol, coffee, and other psychoactive substances in the 24 hours before the examination. Exclusion Criteria： 1. Brain damage due to various reasons (such as head trauma, dementia, epilepsy, brain tumors, etc.). 2. Severe systemic diseases (such as malignant tumors, etc.). 3. Acute cerebrovascular disease in the past 3 months. History of substance abuse other than benzodiazepines (such as alcohol, opioids, etc.). 4. Inability to cooperate with fNIRS, PET/MRI examinations, and scale assessments.
Where this trial is running
Dalian, Liaoning
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University — Dalian, Liaoning, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hui min Zhang — The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University
- Study coordinator: Hui min Zhang
- Email: huiminzhangxs@163.com
- Phone: +86 18098876233
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.