flumazenil

n. a drug used for the emergency reversal of symptoms of benzodiazepine overdose and in anesthesia to reverse benzodiazepine-induced sedation. It acts by displacing benzodiazepine (which acts as a GABA agonist) from binding sites on the GABA receptor complex (see benzodiazepine antagonist; GABA_A receptorgabaa-receptor). Because it is a short-acting agent, multiple doses may be required. It is not effective in managing benzodiazepine dependence, because its rapid action may precipitate a sudden withdrawal syndrome, nor does it antagonize the central nervous system effects of other GABA agonists (e.g., barbiturates) or reverse their effects. U.S. trade name: Romazicon.

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Psychology term of the day

November 23rd 2024

theoretical probability

the mathematical likelihood of a particular event occurring, as determined by dividing the number of positive outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes. For example, when flipping a coin, the theoretical probability that a tail will occur is 1 divided by 2 (the number of possible outcomes), giving a probability of .5 or 50%.