Awakenings and Ambien

[no-see-um]

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This was an amazing segment on "60 Minutes" this evening. Another use for Ambien? It would be quite ironic that a medication used to treat insomnia could be of benefit to 'awake ' some of those who are in a 'minimally conscious' state.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/21/60minutes/main3530299_page2.shtml

We learn about new effects of medications all the time and new indications that weren't ever realised when they were designed, but this was pretty striking. Any thoughts?

 

[Corona]

I know... I couldent believe it when I first read it.

 

[CaliCPhT]

I saw this segment last night and was amazed by the results. Especially after seeing the PET scan results pre- and post-Ambien. I really hope they can get a clinical trial together.

 

[njac]

I know in our neuro ICU they give ambien and methylphenidate to help reestablish circadian rhythm... I wonder if this is part of it as well.

 

[PharmaSynergy]

We learn about new effects of medications all the time and new indications that weren't ever realised when they were designed, but this was pretty striking. Any thoughts?

Amazing story indeed. I understand levodopa is another drug that has similar positive effects on patients with reduced levels of consciousness. My colleague shared a theory that Ambien (zolpidem) reduces the traumatized brain's hypersensitivity to GABA, thereby allowing the brain to become more responsive. In contrast, medications like gabapentin might have the opposite/unfavorable effect on these patients. Gabapentin, as we know mimics GABA and is used to reduce the response to pain or agitation. If there is truth to the theory that reducing sensitivity to GABA is the key to Ambien's success, and it is observed that continued use of Ambien has a cumulative positive effect on patients, then it might be that using drugs like gabapentin could have a negative long term impact on any chance of recovery. Hmm...

Thank you for sharing that news story. It's good to know there are miracles that offer hope for families of these patients, and shows that there's always something new yet to be discovered...