Sedative hypnotic dependence: Neuropsychological changes and clinical course

Abstract

Several reports have indicated an association between neuropsychological impairment and the use of sedative/hypnotics. A group of primary hypnotic/sedative dependent patients have therefore been investigated after acute withdrawal, and then reinvestigated 4–6 years later by means of neuropsychological tests. A second group with benzodiazepine dependence has been investigated while still on benzodiazepines and after one year of total abstinence, a comprehensive neuropsychological battery including the Halstead-Reitan test has been used. The results show that neuropsychological impairment can be diagnosed in primary sedative/hypnotic dependent patients. The impairment seems to be both relatively constant throughout a number of years and to be connected with the clinical outcome. The degree of physical dependence was associated with clinical outcome, thus indicating a connection between physical and psychic dependence in hypnotic/sedative patients. Neuropsychological deficits seem to be partly reversible in ...