No abstract

No abstract

Using positron emission tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG or FDG), we compared the effects of zolpidem (10 mg), an imidazopyridine hypnotic, which is relatively selective for the BZ1 or omega receptor and placebo on cerebral glucose metabolism during the first non-REM sleep period of 12 young normal volunteers. Plasma zolpidem pharmacokinetics varied considerably among subjects, and plasma concentrations were lower than usually reported. In general, the effects of zolpidem on local cerebral glucose metabolism varied directly with plasma concentrations of zolpidem. Zolpidem induced changes in local cerebral glucose metabolism were unevenly distributed throughout the brain and were greater in subcortical areas than lateral cortical areas. Significant negative correlations were found between change in local absolute glucose metabolic rate (calculated by subtracting individual data on placebo nights from that on zolpidem nights) and plasma concentration of zolpidem for the following areas: medial frontal cortex, cingulate gyrus, putamen, thalamus, and hippocampus. The effects of zolpidem on local cerebral glucose metabolism were partially but not closely related to the reported density of BZ1 receptors.

No abstract

No abstract