Naturally Occurring Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) including the widely used and mis-used drug Valium, have been in wide circulation in clinical practice since 1960 as sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants and anticonvulsants. This work reveals the most recent research results following the discovery of naturally-occurring benzodiazepines in plants, animals and in particular the mammalian brain. The authors commence with a review of the search for endogenous BZD receptor ligands, and look at the occurrence of BZD in mammalian tissues and fluids. They investigate the dual origins of brain BZDs and BZD-like compounds, and the production of such compounds by microorganisms. Further chapters review regional BZD-like molecular changes after behavioural training; the identification and purification of new and naturally occurring physiologically active BZD-receptor ligands and the endogenous release monitored by microdialysis.