Long-Term Use of Benzodiazepines and Dementia Risk

[[...]]

In Christopher Lane, PhD's latest, he explores a new study that found shrinkage of important brain regions from benzodiazepines.
 

- In this study, 49.5 percent of participants had taken a benzodiazepine at some point over the past 15 years.

- After a follow-up interval averaging 11.2 years, 13.3 percent had developed dementia.

- The researchers conclude, “Overall use of benzodiazepines is not associated with increased dementia risk.”

- They also find, separately, that prolonged use is “significantly associated with lower total brain volume.”

 

Read here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/side-effects/202407/long-term-use-of-benzodiazepines-and-dementia-risk?

 

[[vo...]]

@[...] This is "kind of" a relief, that benzos don't necessarily increase dementia, given I've been on them for decades. So I searched a bit online about this and don't see the answer to this question. Maybe you can lead me in the right direction? Since I see that brain atrophy can't be reversed, what would be the best way to have the brain atrophy measured? If that in fact can even be done.

[[Li...]]

@[vo...] The article states that fMRI imaging was used.  To learn more:

Functional magnetic resonance imaging - Wikipedia