Zolpidem and Restoration of Consciousness

Authors:
  • RRRiya Rajan
    Riya Rajan
  • ARAmy Rosenbaum
    Amy Rosenbaum
  • DKDouglas Katz
    Douglas Katz
  • KKKathleen Kalmar
    Kathleen Kalmar
  • RSRon Seel
    Ron Seel
  • BGBrian Greenwald
    Brian Greenwald
  • RZRoss Zafonte
    Ross Zafonte
  • DDDavid Demarest
    David Demarest
  • RBRobert Brunner
    Robert Brunner
  • DKDarryl Kaelin
    Darryl Kaelin
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Zolpidem has been reported to cause temporary recovery of consciousness in vegetative and minimally conscious patients, but how often and why this occurs are unknown. The authors aimed to determine the frequency of this phenomenon and whether it can be predicted from demographic and clinical variables. This is a placebo-controlled, double-blind, single-dose, crossover study performed by caregivers and replicated by trained professionals, for naive participants. Four previously identified responders were also studied to further characterize the clinical drug response. Eighty-four participants with traumatic and nontraumatic disorders of consciousness of at least 4 mos' duration were studied. Four "definite responders" were identified, but no demographic or clinical features were predictive of the response. Indicators of a drug response included increased movement, social interaction, command following, attempts at communication, and functional object use; typically lasted 1-2 hrs; and sometimes ended with increased somnolence. Adverse events were more common on zolpidem than placebo, but most were rated as mild. Approximately 5% (4.8%) of the participants responded to zolpidem, but the responders could not be distinguished in advance from the nonresponders. Future research is needed to understand the mechanism of zolpidem in enhancing consciousness and its potential role in treatment and research.

This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit: