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Effect of Zolpidem in the Aftermath of Traumatic Brain Injury: An MEG Study.

Authors :: Sripad P
Rosenberg J
Boers F
Filss CP
Galldiks N
Langen KJ
Clauss R
Shah NJ
Dammers J
Source :: Case reports in neurological medicine [Case Rep Neurol Med] 2020 Mar 20; Vol. 2020, pp. 8597062. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Mar 20 (Print Publication: 2020).
Publication Year :: 2020
Abstract: In the past two decades, many studies have shown the paradoxical efficacy of zolpidem, a hypnotic used to induce sleep, in transiently alleviating various disorders of consciousness such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), dystonia, and Parkinson's disease. The mechanism of action of this effect of zolpidem is of great research interest. In this case study, we use magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate a fully conscious, ex-coma patient who suffered from neurological difficulties for a few years due to traumatic brain injury. For a few years after injury, the patient was under medication with zolpidem that drastically improved his symptoms. MEG recordings taken before and after zolpidem showed a reduction in power in the theta-alpha (4-12 Hz) and lower beta (15-20 Hz) frequency bands. An increase in power after zolpidem intake was found in the higher beta/lower gamma (20-43 Hz) frequency band. Source level functional connectivity measured using weighted-phase lag index showed changes after zolpidem intake. Stronger connectivity between left frontal and temporal brain regions was observed. We report that zolpidem induces a change in MEG resting power and functional connectivity in the patient. MEG is an informative and sensitive tool to detect changes in brain activity for TBI.<br />Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 Praveen Sripad et al.)