Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 5/16/2009

Question
Dear Dr. Galbraith,                                     You stated that the long term use of Xanax will cause permanent brain damage. How about Halcion. If so could you state the reseach that proves they cause permanent brain damage; and to what part of the brain and in what manor? Please respond ASAP; as I may be having a problem!
Thank you,
Ron

Answer
Dear Ron

All benzodiazepines will cause brain damage if used for long periods of time and most are irreversible. These effects are mainly confusion, memory loss.

There are many research papers on this which can be found doing a Google search. Here is a recent one.
 

Geriatrics and Aging. 2008;11(5):284-289
The Older Brain on Drugs: Substances That May Cause Cognitive Impairment
Jenny Rogers, MD; Bonnie S. Wiese, MD; Kiran Rabheru, MD, CCFP, FRCP

Regards

Dr Alan Galbraith