Zolpidem and Disorders of Consciousness: The Path to a New Therapy

• Autor(a) principal: Mariano, José
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Gomes, Catarina, Figueiredo, Isabel Vitória, Cabral, Ana Cristina
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.25756/rpf.v13i4.285

Zolpidem is a benzodiazepine-like agent. It is a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, altering their conformational structure and increasing the binding affinity of the neurotransmitter GABA to its orthosteric binding site. Its only approved indication is insomnia, due to its central depressant effect. Since the end of the 90's, there have been numerous studies regarding its use in patients with brain damage, namely patients with disorders of consciousness, in a vegetative or minimally conscious state, with unexpected results in terms of regaining consciousness, cognition and motor coordination. These results are often supported by imaging data from positron emission tomography, single photon emission computerized tomography, electro encephalography , among others. Due to the lack of studies and the relative weakness of existing studies, the use of zolpidem for this indication is not yet accepted as clinical practice. The promising profile of the drug, which includes its remarkable safety profile, motivate further studies to elucidate its characteristics, understand its paradoxical effect and promote research into new therapeutic solutions for patients with brain damage.