Work

Diazepam modulates anterior cingulate glutamate levels in people at clinical high-risk for psychosis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Preclinical evidence suggests that modulating neural excitation through administration of diazepam, a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, can prevent the emergence of behavioral and neurobiological alterations relevant to psychosis in adulthood. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Here, we examine this neurochemical mechanism in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Twenty-four individuals (15 female and 9 male) aged 18-35 were scanned twice using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure anterior cingulate cortex Glx (glutamate and glutamine) levels, once after a single dose of diazepam (5 mg) and once after placebo. RESULTS: Mixed-effects model analyses revealed that diazepam reduced anterior cingulate cortex Glx levels compared to placebo (t(20.8) = -2.14, P = .04). The effect of diazepam on Glx levels was greater in older individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (t(12) = -4.36, P = .001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that pharmacological modulation of GABAA receptors can alter Glx changes in and support a novel therapeutic mechanism of benefit for individuals at clinical high risk of psychosis.

Source: The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology

DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaf078