Ambien helps recovery after stroke in mice, Stanford

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On December 18, Stanford reported:

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Stroke recovery in mice improved by Ambien

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Zolpidem, better known by the trade name Ambien, increased the rate at which mice that had strokes recovered their pre-stroke sensory acuity and motor coordination.

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This must now be verified in humans. Rodent studies cannot be translated to humans, and all too often fail to help.

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There are three publications on the use of zolpidem for persistent vegetative state.

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Drug induced arousal from the permanent vegetative state

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Abstract: Background: Zolpidem is an omega 1 specific indirect GABA agonist that is used for insomnia, but may have efficacy in brain damage. [emphasis mine] The long term efficacy of zolpidem in the permanent vegetative state is described in three patients. Method: Two motor vehicle accident patients and one near drowning patient, all of them in the permanent vegetative state for at least three years, were rated according to the Glasgow Coma and Rancho Los Amigos scale before and after zolpidem application. Long term response to daily application of this drug was monitored for 3–6 years. Results: All patients were aroused transiently every morning after zolpidem. Glasgow Coma Scale scores ranged from 6–9/15 before to 10–15/15 after zolpidem. Rancho Los Amigos Cognitive scores ranged from I–II before to V–VII afterward. Drug efficacy did not decrease and there were no long term side effects after 3–6 years daily use. Conclusion: Zolpidem appears an effective drug to restore brain function to some patients in the permanent vegetative state.

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Of interest, I have recently seen two unusual responses to Ambien.

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One man who underwent a repeat knee replacement in the same knee within a short time after the first. He feels severe pain and spasm around the knee and has developed severe depression. The only medication he has found to relieve the spasm is 5 mg Ambien twice daily.

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Another patient developed severe personality changes with agitation, rocking the body in bed. In less than 20 minutes, after Ambien, she was perfectly normal, quiet, relaxed, calm.

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