Cognitive Functioning in Long-Term Benzodiazepine Users.

Background: Benzodiazepines are widely used in the treatment of anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances, but negative cognitive side effects have been reported after long-term use. Studies on the cognitive effects of long-term benzodiazepine use to date have typically included small samples and limited cognitive assessments.

Objectives: This study examined cognitive performance on four cognitive domains in long-term benzodiazepine users, compared to normative data.

[Carbohydrate deficient transferrin and ethyl glucuronide: markers for alcohol use].

In this article, we report on the usefulness of physicians testing for carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) and ethyl glucuronide (EtG) when there are doubts about alcohol use by their patients. A 44-year-old male consulted his general practitioner with depressive symptoms and denied using alcohol. Laboratory examination revealed an elevated CDT value.