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Zolpidem for persistent vegetative state--a placebo-controlled trial in pediatrics
1Rehabilitation Department, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Sydney, Australia.
Neuropediatrics
|January 7, 2011
Summary
This study found zolpidem did not improve responsiveness or cerebral blood flow in children with persistent vegetative states. Zolpidem showed a tendency to reduce responsiveness, indicating no beneficial effect.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Persistent vegetative state (PVS) is a severe disorder of consciousness.
- Treatments for PVS aim to improve responsiveness and neurological function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate zolpidem's effect on responsiveness and regional cerebral perfusion in children with PVS.
- To assess if zolpidem offers a beneficial effect in PVS patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial in children with PVS.
- Zolpidem or placebo administered for 4 days, with assessments at baseline and post-treatment.
- Outcomes measured using Rancho scales, coma/near-coma scale, and F(18)-FDG PET scans.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in Rancho scales or F(18)-FDG PET scans observed.
- A trend towards reduced responsiveness was noted with zolpidem compared to placebo.
- Coma/near-coma scale showed a tendency to increase, suggesting reduced responsiveness.
Conclusions:
- Zolpidem did not demonstrate a beneficial effect in children with PVS.
- No evidence of improved responsiveness or increased cerebral blood flow with zolpidem.
- Zolpidem was associated with a tendency towards reduced responsiveness.
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