Abstract
This paper looks at the mechanisms of action of benzodiazepines, and where in the brain the receptors for these drugs are located. It also looks at which brain structures are most repsonsible for the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines.

From the Paper
"Benzodiazepines are glycoproteins which bind to gamma amino butyricacid (GABA) receptors in the CNS, specifically GABA A receptors, facilitating the opening of the chloride channels and potentiating GABA's inhibitory effect. The comprehensive GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS. The binding is allosteric, different types of benzodiazepines bind to different types of GABA receptors, although the precise sites and mechanisms of action have not been completely established. It is believed benzodiazepines exert their effects within the CNS by interacting with a macromolecular protein complex in the..."

Tags:benzodiazepines, drugs, brain

Abstract
This paper looks at benzodiazepines and explores why they are still the main drugs used for patients with anxiety even though the American Psychiatric Association has issued guidelines saying that SSRIs are the drug of choice for treating anxiety. There is resistance to change, and it is unclear why, since benzodiapepines often build dependency.

From the Paper
"Benzodiazepines are tranquillizers used to treat anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepine receptors are found throughout the central nervous system linked to gamma amino butyric acid GABA receptors, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS Longo and Johnson. It enhances the affinity of the recognition site for GABA by inducing a conformational change. The GABA receptor complex also binds barbiturates and other sedative-hypnotics such as alcohol. Low et al have shown that they react with the alpha GABAA receptors which are expressed mostly in the limbic system.

Tags:benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Abstract
Benzodiazepines are absorbed through the stomach, muscle, or blood stream, which depends on the route they are given. They travel through the body at different speeds until processed out of the body through the liver. Benzodiazepines, if given by mouth, can be split into three groups based on how quickly they are absorbed: After taking a benzodiazepine, the person will experience muscle relaxation, a decrease in the level off anxiety and a sleepy or relaxed feeling. If the drug is taken in high doses with alcohol, these effects are more significant. Short-term use of benzodiazepines rarely results in chronic addiction, unless the person has already had an addiction to this or other drugs or alcohol in the past. Benzodiazepines are complex sedatives that can be useful in regulated moderation and this paper will offer a comprehensive analysis of its potentially addictive qualities

From the Paper
Benzodiazepines: An Examination of Prescription, Causality and Addiction Joe Student Professor's Name March 15, 2009 Outline Benzodiazepines are absorbed through the stomach, muscle, or blood stream, which depends on the route they are given. They travel through the body at different speeds until processed out of the body through the liver. Benzodiazepines, if given by mouth, can be split into three groups based

Tags:benzodiazepine, addiction, medication

Abstract
The benzodiazepines have evolved from a long search for effective sedative/hypnotics to treat anxiety disorders. While safer than previous clinically-used anxiolytics, the benzodiazepines have their drawbacks, as well. The paper shows that when treating anxiety disorders, evidence supports the use of combination therapy, either through the use of other psyhcotropic medication or in conjunction with cognitive behavioral therapy. The paper thus explains that benzodiazepines should be supplemented with other treatment options.

From the Paper
"The BZDs create their effects by interacting with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the neuronal binding site for GABA. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and its presence reduces the neuronal firing rate of the post-synaptic cell. The GABA receptor site has other sections where other chemicals can bind as well. The BZDs own a separate section on the receptor, and when they simultaneously bind to this site with GABA, the two work together to increase the inhibitory effect on the post-synaptic cell."

Tags:antidepressants, reuptake, serotonin, tcas, tricyclics

Abstract
This paper describes the structure and function of the bBZD/GABA/Cl complex in the CNS. It describes the action of benzodiazepines and how they work on the GABA receptor to produce their anxiolytic effects.

From the Paper
"Neurons in the brain communicate through chemical messengers neurotransmitters which are released by the signal-emitting neuron and bind to specific proteins. Excitatory glutamate and inhibitory GABA neurotransmitters, when bound to their respective receptors, increase or decrease the neuron's excitability. Excessive excitation causes panic attacks and excessive inhibition cases sedation. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system and participates in the regulation of neuronal excitability through specific membrane proteins of the neurons."

Tags:benzodiazepine/GABA-Cl, complex

Abstract
This paper describes various aspects of psychology, behavior and treatment options. It begins by discussing anti-psychotic drugs and a few of their typical side effects. It then briefly describes the category of anti-anxiety drugs called benzodiazepines and their side effects. The paper then lists and explains the four basic techniques of Freudian psychoanalysis. It concludes by discussing different types of therapy, such as the mental hospital as a therapeutic community, universal interventions and systematic desensitization and modeling.

Table of Contents:
Anti-psychotic Drugs
Freudian Psychoanalysis
Behavior Therapy: Systematic Desensitization And Modeling
Universal Interventions
The Mental Hospital As A Therapeutic Community

From the Paper
"Therapeutic communities are important and valuable tools, but certainly not for all patients. Often, the community is made up of a certain ward or unit of the hospital, rather than the entire facility. Clearly, some patients, such as those suffering from serious debilitating diseases such as dementia or severe schizophrenia might not be physically or mentally able to exist in such a facility. However, for others, who have specific issues or health problems, and are in the facility hoping for a cure, the community concept can help them become more sure of themselves, more able to function outside the facility, and give them confidence in their decision-making abilities."

Tags:benzodiazepines, anxiety, desensitization

Abstract
This paper takes a look at the two drugs, Ritalin and Xanax. The paper discusses how Ritalin, known in pharmacology as methylphenidate, is a medication prescribed for individuals who have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The paper also discusses how Xanax (alprazolam), is listed in a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which affect "chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety." The paper goes on to say that Xanax is prescribed to "relieve anxiety, nervousness and tension associated with anxiety disorders," yet can also be used to treat panic disorders.

From the Paper
"Several other adverse physical effects are linked to taking Ritalin with other drugs which may cause severe and dangerous reactions, especially in children under the age of ten. Most of these drugs are MAO inhibitors, such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate); the person taking Ritalin is well-advised to not use it "if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor in the last fourteen days" ("Ritalin," Internet). Certainly, some people may need to have their dosage levels adjusted by their physicians in order to alleviate the above-mentioned effects. In addition, some people taking Ritalin have reported symptoms associated with Tourette's Syndrome, although at this point in time the reasons for this are completely unknown. "

Tags:Tourette's, Syndrome, allergic, reactions, lag-time/absorption, bloodstream

Abstract
The paper describes the author's experiences with sleep deprivation, which can cause a variety of physical and mental stresses, in which she felt like she was on drugs or living in a dream and had cognitive and motor skill problems. Next, the author relates that, based on this personal experience, she agrees more with the recuperation theories of sleep. The paper concludes by discussing the sleep disorder categories of insomnia, which includes all disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep such as sleep apnea, and of hypersomnia, which includes disorders of excessive sleep or sleepiness, such as narcolepsy.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Personal Experience
Effects of Sleep Deprivation
Effects of Long-Term Sleep Reduction
Sleep Disorders

From the Paper
"Many sleep disorders fall into one of two categories: insomnia and hypersomnia. Insomnia includes all disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, and hypersomnia includes disorders of excessive sleep or sleepiness. Sleep apnea is a common cause of insomnia; this is when a person stops breathing many times a night, wakes up, starts breathing again, and drifts back to sleep. Sleep apnea disorders are thought to result from either obstruction of the respiratory passages by muscle spasms or lack of muscle tone, or from the failure of the central nervous system to stimulate respiration. This disorder is most common in males, the overweight, and the elderly. Two other causes of insomnia are nocturnal myoclonus and restless legs. Nocturnal myoclonus is a periodic twitching of the body during sleep. People with restless legs complain of a tension or uneasiness in their legs that keeps them from falling asleep. Narcolepsy is the most common disorder in the hypersomnia category, occurring in 1 out of 2,000 individuals. People with this disorder experience severe daytime sleepiness and repeated daytime sleep episodes lasting 10 to 15 minutes. Though they only sleep an hour per day more than average, it is the inappropriateness of their sleep episodes that defines the condition of a narcoleptic person."

Tags:stresses, baby, depersonalization, narcoleptic, benzodiazepines

Abstract
This paper reviews the historical background of Xanax and discusses Xanax' mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy. Finally, this paper presents alternative forms of therapy which can be used in conjunction with or instead of Xanax.

From the Paper
"This paper reviews the historical background of Xanax. It will then discuss Xanax's mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics and pharmacotherapy. Finally, this paper will present alternative forms of therapy which can be used in conjunction with or instead of Xanax. Xanax and Xanax XR (extended release) are brand names of a tranquilizer produced and marketed by Pharmacia & Upjohn. Its generic name is..."

Tags:xanax, benzodiazepine, tranquilizer