Impact of long-term benzodiazepine use on cognitive function
Official title: Assessing the Cognitive Effects of Chronic Benzodiazepine Use in Patients: A Comprehensive Study Using fNIRs and PET/MRI Technologies
Run by The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University · NCT06250842 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Dalian, Liaoning) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 11, 2024 |
| Main results expected | February 20, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | April 11, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06250842 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are individuals who have been using benzodiazepines continuously for three months or more.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with brain damage, severe systemic diseases, or recent acute cerebrovascular events may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: While there have been studies on benzodiazepines and cognitive function, this comprehensive approach using fNIRS and PET imaging is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Helping children and teens manage severe irritability, anxiety, and depression.
This program will try cognitive behavioral therapy plus detailed behavioral and brain tests to see if it helps children and teens (ages 4–17) with severe irritability, anxiety, or depression.
-
How symptoms, thoughts, and behaviors change week by week during a 7-week online mindfulness program for emotional distress
This trial tests whether a 7-week self-guided online mindfulness program helps people with high emotional distress (such as depression or anxiety) and tracks weekly changes in their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
-
Comparing support options for the Healthy Minds meditation app
This study tests whether adding a brief coaching session, on-demand email help, or short microsupport messages helps adults with elevated depression or anxiety get more benefit from the Healthy Minds meditation app.
-
Peer support to expand access to Spanish digital cognitive behavioral therapy in the Mission community
This project will test whether adding peer support helps Spanish-speaking Latino adults in the Mission neighborhood use a Spanish-language online CBT program to reduce symptoms of depression or anxiety.
-
Rapid screening for anxiety and depression in children, teens, and young adults treated for cancer
This study tests a short questionnaire to quickly find anxiety or depression in children, adolescents, and young adults who were treated for cancer.
-
Building Connections: improving cancer screening, weight management, and mental health for adults in vulnerable communities
This program will try to improve cancer screening, weight management, and mental health care for adults served by community clinics in Massachusetts.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.