Benzodiazepines and calcium channel function

Although the neuronally mediated pharmacological and therapeutic effects of benzodiazepines exerted through central sites are well defined, there is evidence for other sites of action, including peripheral sites, whose functions are less clear. A role for benzodiazepines as regulators of Ca²⁺ channel activity has been suggested for both centrally and peripherally acting benzodiazepine ligands. David Rampe and David Triggle review this evidence. Although the properties of the several receptor sites indicate clearly their separate character, the benzodiazepines obviously modulate some Ca²⁺ channel processes. Such observations may provide a clue to new structures active at one or more of the several classes of Ca²⁺ channels or may indicate a new category of benzodiazepine interaction.