The Benzodiazepines: From Molecular Biology to Clinical Practice [antikvár]

Preface Although Auden's expression the "age of anxiety" is rather too glibly applied to the present day, it is true that anxiety, and emotional stress in general, is more frequently seen by specialists than other mental illnesses, such as psychotic and depressive reactions. The latter however have been the object of much more profound and prolonged research (although there is still much to learn concerning the etiopathogenesis of depression, and even more of schizophrenia). Nevertheless, considering that the benzodiazepine anti- anxiety agents have been in use for a quarter of a century, it is only recently that we have begun to understand the possible mechanisms of their action. The discovery of specific binding sites for these substances some six years ago, and their now established interaction with the brain's most important inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA, raised hopes that this knowledge could be utilized to help unravel the mystery of affective function. This volume is a comprehensive report of the state-of-the-art in this field, dealing with both preclinical and clinical pharmacology as well as significant topics on clinical usage. The work presented here reflects the stock-taking and goal-setting processes undertaken during the World Congress of Biolog- ical Psychiatry symposium, which was held in Stockholm in July, 1981. This volume will be of interest to all clinicians who are concerned with patients whose symptoms include anxiety and emotional distress, and to researchers working in the area of neuro- and psychopharmacology. John Ward Hoffmann-La Roche & Co. Ltd. Basel, Switzerland