Chronic high-dose nitrazepam dependence I-123-IMP SPECT and EEG studies

A patient who took 50-100 mg nitrazepam per day for 25 years is presented. I-123-IMP SPECT (autoradiography method) and EEG were performed sequentiall y on the subject during and after the withdrawal syndrome. Severe hypoperfu sion of the whole brain on SPECT and diffuse slow activity on EEG were demo nstrated during the withdrawal syndrome and subsequently remarkably improve d. However, *the hypofrontal pattern on both early and delayed images in SP ECT was unchanged. The changes observed on SPECT and EEG reflect the pathop hysiology of dependence and withdrawal. Additionally, the hypofrontal patte rn remained unchanged suggesting that organic brain damage can develop as a result of chronic high-dose benzodiazepine abuse.