Hooked on benzodiazepines: GABAA receptor subtypes and addiction.

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Tan KR, Rudolph U, Luscher C

Hooked on benzodiazepines: GABAA receptor subtypes and addiction.

Trends Neurosci. 2011 Apr;34(4):188-97. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2011.01.004. Epub 2011 Feb 25.

PubMed ID

21353710 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Benzodiazepines are widely used clinically to treat anxiety and insomnia. They also induce muscle relaxation, control epileptic seizures, and can produce amnesia. Moreover, benzodiazepines are often abused after chronic clinical treatment and also for recreational purposes. Within weeks, tolerance to the pharmacological effects can develop as a sign of dependence. In vulnerable individuals with compulsive drug use, addiction will be diagnosed. Here we review recent observations from animal models regarding the cellular and molecular basis that might underlie the addictive properties of benzodiazepines. These data reveal how benzodiazepines, acting through specific GABA(A) receptor subtypes, activate midbrain dopamine neurons, and how this could hijack the mesolimbic reward system. Such findings have important implications for the future design of benzodiazepines with reduced or even absent addiction liability.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Zolpidem

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Zolpidem	Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1	Protein	Humans	Yes	Agonist	Details
Zolpidem	Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-2	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Agonist	Details
Zolpidem	Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-3	Protein	Humans	Unknown	Agonist	Details