Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine drug that has selectivity for stimulating the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and predominant affinity to the benzodiazepine receptor subtype omega-1 modulating GABA_A-benzodiazepine-chloride channel receptor complex, which mainly mediates sedation [1].

The first paradoxical zolpidem-induced arousal effect was reported in 2000, in a patient who had been in a semi-comatose state after a traffic accident; and several cases have been reported thereafter [1,2].

Subsequently, large prospective studies were conducted to prove the effect of zolpidem on vegetative state patients [3,4,5]. Improvement of cerebral state monitor and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were shown after zolpidem administration [6]. However, only a small fraction of patients (4.8%) showed improvement in cognition and behavior [3]. Furthermore, in one study, none of 60 subjects showed clinically significant improvement [4].

We reported a paradoxical effect of zolpidem that awakened stuporous mentality in a hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injured patient with brain imaging and electroencephalogram (EEG).

We experienced a 48-year-old male patient who had been bedridden and semi-comatose for 2 years after HI brain injury due to myocardial infarction. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was E2M4V2. He could respond to pain by eye opening and withdrawing and made several incomprehensible sounds. There were some spontaneous movements of both arms and hands, which were not purposeful. He showed agitated behaviors, which fluctuated and worsened at night. Rancho Los Amigos (RLA) score was grade III to IV. He was totally dependent in activities of daily living (ADL) and unable to ambulate. Thus, his Modified Barthel Index (MBI) was 0 and Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was 0.

Due to agitated behavior at night, we administered zolpidem (Stilnox 10 mg) 1 tablet for sleep induction. Thirty minutes after zolpidem administration, the patient became alert enough to talk and communicate with his wife. He responded appropriately to various stimuli and verbal commands. After administration of zolpidem, GCS was 15 (E4M6V5) and RLA score was VII. This arousal lasted for 2 to 3 hours and repeated every time of administration. Regular administration of zolpidem before meals made direct oral feeding possible instead of the use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. This improvement of swallowing without aspiration was confirmed by videofluoroscopic swallowing study. After administration of zolpidem, MMSE score improved from 0 to 12, in which he responded appropriately in items of orientation, short-term memory, repetition and comprehension. MBI score improved from 0 to 13. His motor performance showed improvement in carrying small objects in box and block test, and he was able to follow some simulated ADL, such as personal hygiene, dressing, bladder and bowel care with the therapists' guidance. He could walk with therapist's assistance and ambulate by wheelchair.

We attempted higher dosage of zolpidem (20 mg or 30 mg), however, the patient fell asleep instead of showing arousal. Similarly, on administration of other GABAergic drugs and sleeping pills, he was sedated and fell asleep, which is the normal phenomenon in ordinary people.

Effect of the zolpidem on brain function was evaluated by EEG, brain PET and SPECT. Slow waves were recorded on EEG before medication (zolpidem-off), and the reversal of slow wave to beta range fast activity ,which is dominant waveform in alert and attentive individuals, was detected after medication (zolpidem-on) (Fig. 1). In brain imaging, F-18 flumazenil positron emission tomography ([¹⁸F]-FMZ-PET) showed increased GABA receptor activity in both frontoparietotemporal cortices at zolpidem-on, as compared to zolpidem-off (Fig. 2). SPECT also showed improvement of suppressed brain perfusion when zolpidem was administered (Fig. 3). Increased frequency of zolpidem administration to thrice daily, resulted in sustained improvement of alertness and functions throughout most of the daytime. After 1 month of regular administration of zolpidem, the cognitive and daily functions sustained (MMSE 13, MBI 13). The patient was discharged on a 10-mg of zolpidem thrice daily regimen. The effect of zolpidem lasted for more than 3 years.

This case report demonstrated that the stuporous patient became alert by administration of zolpidem. Likewise, Clauss and Nel [1] reported 3 patients with HI injury, who were in permanent vegetative state and aroused transiently after administration of zolpidem. While these case studies demonstrated increased consciousness level and cognitive function, we additionally experienced the improvement of functional activities, which was not evaluated by objective examination in previous studies. Brefel-Courbon et al. [5] also reported a similar case, in which zolpidem administration improved motor performance and neuropsychological status. They described the changes of brain metabolism by PET study and insisted that the activation of limbic loops is a possible motivational process. In our case, improvements in brain imaging included increased perfusion of left parietal lobe and improvement of cerebellar diaschisis on SPECT. [¹⁸F]-FMZ PET showed increased GABA receptor activity at zolpidem-on.

The effect of zolpidem on cerebral perfusion by SPECT was observed experimentally in animals and human [2,7]. The mechanism of zolpidem-induced increase in blood perfusion of injured brain is still unknown; but in an animal study, GABA_A receptor modulated nitric oxide synthase activity in brain by administration of diazepam [8]. Zolpidem may have a similar effect and increase perfusion by increased nitric oxide concentration of brain, as it has affinity to the GABA_A receptor as well.

Two cellular pathways could be initiated after brain injury, i.e., glutamate-utilizing and excitatory pathway [9] and GABA-induced neurodormant cells whose functions can be reversed by activation of modified GABA receptor [10]. Clauss and Nel [1] suggested that zolpidem binding to the modified GABA receptor that is supersensitized to inhibitory neurotransmitter after anoxic brain damage could cease abnormal cell metabolism. If dormant cells affect a large brain area, dramatic clinical changes could occur if these are switched-on by zolpidem. If only those who have large areas of dormant cells benefit from zolpidem, it may explain why all patients do not show improved cognition and behavior in large prospective studies [3,4]. In our patient, [¹⁸F]-FMZ-PET showed increased GABAergic receptor activity when zolpidem was administered, as compared to the zolpidem-off state. Flumazenil is a specific, reversibly binding high-affinity antagonist at the benzodiazepine site of the GABA_A receptor by competitive inhibition of the omega receptors. In normal brain, decreased GABAergic receptor activity is expected when zolpidem and flumazenil are administered together. This was also confirmed by Clauss et al. [7]. However, our case showed increased GABAergic receptor activity when zolpidem and flumazenil were administered. This may suggest that the zolpidem selectively acts on modified omega receptors after anoxic brain damage and consequently increases the affinity of down regulated GABA receptors.

Since none of the other GABAergic drugs showed this paradoxical arousal effect, it is likely that the high selectivity of zolpidem to the GABA_A omega receptor alone and not the other 2 subtypes, mediates this effect. Highly selective GABA omega-1 receptor agonist, zolpidem leads to phosphorylation of the receptor and results in the termination of brain dormancy by exposing receptor-related protein that are targets for protein kinases [6]. This is the first case with evidence of zolpidem-induced altered affinity and function of GABA receptor by using [¹⁸F]-FMZPET in the human brain. However, the mechanism of zolpidem-induced modification of the omega receptor requires further research.