The first research paper from this study has been published: “The FDA Mandate to Reassess Benzodiazepines: Alprazolam Induces a Positive Conditioned Place-Preference in Male Rats“
We have defined several gaps in the understanding of the basic neuropharmacology of benzodiazepines, such as the mystery of why “benzodiazepine receptors” exist on neurons in the first place (the endogenous ligand question), and why benzodiazepines bind with non-neural tissue throughout the body. Many researchers are aware of these questions and the impact that their answers could have. In 2018, at the request of the The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy undertook a research project directed at answering some of these questions. Under the direction of Dr. Todd Vanderah, Head and Professor of Pharmacology, this project is fully staffed and well underway. The first results have been compiled, and the University is preparing technical papers and completing the research. Meanwhile, they have released the information below, which includes raw results from the first phase. Amazingly, this basic research into the dependence-inducing properties of benzodiazepines has never been done before. As you can see from the timeline on the chart, several other phases of this research are still underway. The first phase results were presented in the Alliance’s University of Arizona symposium.
