[Pharmacotherapy with benzodiazepines: basic principles and new developments]

Abstract

Pharmacotherapy of various neurologic and psychiatric disorders is based on amplification of the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the CNS. Of particular importance is the modulation of GABAA receptors by benzodiazepines. Their effects are activity-dependent and self limiting. With the development of new ligands for the benzodiazepine receptorsite selective activity-profiles with minimal side-effects are sought. Progress is to be expected from partial agonists and in particular from ligands with selectivity for receptor subtypes.