AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on most drugs. Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
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
