Effects of benzodiazepines on the cognitive and psychomotor performance ofolder adults with insomnia

This study investigates the effects of chronic use of benzodiazepines (BZ) as hypnotics on the neuropsychological performance of older adults with ins omnia. Twenty-one older persons who had used BZ on a chronic basis (average duration 21.7 years) for their sleep difficulties were enrolled in a medic ation withdrawal program. A neuropsychological evaluation was conducted bef ore and after the taper program. A control group composed of older adults n ot using BZs and without sleep complaints were also evaluated for comparati ve purpose. The results showed that prolonged use of BZ produces mild and s elective impairments of cognitive and psychomotor performance. However, BZ users subjectively evaluated their own performance much more negatively tha n good sleepers. The results are discussed in terms of a possible amplifica tion of performance deficits among insomnia patients and also as a toleranc e to adverse effects that develops with prolonged utilization of BZ.