Behavioral neurochemistry of benzodiazepines.

The therapeutic effects of benzodiazepines in psychoneurosis may depend in part on their ability to disinhibit a patient's anxiety-suppressed, gratification-seeking behavior. Benzodiazepines may disinhibit behavior by reducing the activity of serotonin (and possibly acetylcholine) neurons in the brain's "punishment" system. Reduction of serotonin transmission may be due to a facilitation of gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)-mediated presynaptic inhibition at the serotonin nerve terminal.