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. 1977 Jun;134(6):665-9.
doi: 10.1176/ajp.134.6.665.

Benzodiazepines: behavioral and neurochemical mechanisms

L Stein, J D Belluzzi, C D Wise

Benzodiazepines: behavioral and neurochemical mechanisms

L Stein et al. Am J Psychiatry. 1977 Jun.

Abstract

The therapeutic effects of benzodiazepines in psychoneurosis may depend in part on their ability to release or 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.

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