RATIONALE: Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, are anxiolytic-sedative drugs, used for the treatment of several different disorders. The pharmacological mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is well understood; however, it remains unclear which neural networks and systems are involved in translating these neurochemical actions into their therapeutic effects. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 7-day diazepam administration compared to placebo on resting-state functional connectivity in healthy adults independent of any task. METHODS: Thirty-four healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive either diazepam (N = 17) or placebo (15 mg daily for 7 days) and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance acquisition. Model-free data analysis was performed using independent component analysis and dual regression. RESULTS: Consistent with previous research, 11 resting-state networks were identified. Increased connectivity in response to diazepam administration was found in the medial visual network and middle/inferior temporal network. Diazepam did not cause any decreases in functional connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: Diazepam administration increases functional connectivity in areas of emotional processing independent of any task. Diazepam also enhanced functional connectivity in the medial visual system, which is a brain region rich in GABAA receptors, and shows high binding of GABAergic drugs. These increases in functional connectivity are characteristic of CNS depressants.
RATIONALE: Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, are anxiolytic-sedative drugs, used for the treatment of several different disorders. The pharmacological mechanism of action of benzodiazepines is well understood; however, it remains unclear which neural networks and systems are involved in translating these neurochemical actions into their therapeutic effects. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 7-day diazepam administration compared to placebo on resting-state functional connectivity in healthy adults independent of any task. METHODS: Thirty-four healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive either diazepam (N = 17) or placebo (15 mg daily for 7 days) and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance acquisition. Model-free data analysis was performed using independent component analysis and dual regression. RESULTS: Consistent with previous research, 11 resting-state networks were identified. Increased connectivity in response to diazepam administration was found in the medial visual network and middle/inferior temporal network. Diazepam did not cause any decreases in functional connectivity. CONCLUSIONS: Diazepam administration increases functional connectivity in areas of emotional processing independent of any task. Diazepam also enhanced functional connectivity in the medial visual system, which is a brain region rich in GABAA receptors, and shows high binding of GABAergic drugs. These increases in functional connectivity are characteristic of CNS depressants.
Authors: Michael D Greicius; Vesa Kiviniemi; Osmo Tervonen; Vilho Vainionpää; Seppo Alahuhta; Allan L Reiss; Vinod Menon Journal: Hum Brain Mapp Date: 2008-07 Impact factor: 5.038
Authors: Angela R Laird; P Mickle Fox; Simon B Eickhoff; Jessica A Turner; Kimberly L Ray; D Reese McKay; David C Glahn; Christian F Beckmann; Stephen M Smith; Peter T Fox Journal: J Cogn Neurosci Date: 2011-06-14 Impact factor: 3.225
Authors: Mark Jenkinson; Christian F Beckmann; Timothy E J Behrens; Mark W Woolrich; Stephen M Smith Journal: Neuroimage Date: 2011-09-16 Impact factor: 6.556
Authors: Kelly Smart; Patrick D Worhunsky; Dustin Scheinost; Gustavo A Angarita; Irina Esterlis; Richard E Carson; John H Krystal; Stephanie S O'Malley; Kelly P Cosgrove; Ansel T Hillmer Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2022-04-21 Impact factor: 3.928