|
1
|
Licata SC, Lowen SB, Trksak GH, MacLean RR, Lukas SE. Zolpidem reduces the blood oxygen level-dependent signal during visual system stimulation. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2011; 35:1645-52. [PMID: 21640782 PMCID: PMC3154455 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2011] [Revised: 05/07/2011] [Accepted: 05/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Zolpidem is a short-acting imidazopyridine hypnotic that binds at the benzodiazepine binding site on specific GABA(A) receptors to enhance fast inhibitory neurotransmission. The behavioral and receptor pharmacology of zolpidem has been studied extensively, but little is known about its neuronal substrates in vivo. In the present within-subject, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study, blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) at 3 Tesla was used to assess the effects of zolpidem within the brain. Healthy participants (n=12) were scanned 60 min after acute oral administration of zolpidem (0, 5, 10, or 20mg), and changes in BOLD signal were measured in the visual cortex during presentation of a flashing checkerboard. Heart rate and oxygen saturation were monitored continuously throughout the session. Zolpidem (10 and 20mg) reduced the robust visual system activation produced by presentation of this stimulus, but had no effects on physiological activity during the fMRI scan. Zolpidem's modulation of the BOLD signal within the visual cortex is consistent with the abundant distribution of GABA(A) receptors localized in this region, as well as previous studies showing a relationship between increased GABA-mediated neuronal inhibition and a reduction in BOLD activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C. Licata
- Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - Steven B. Lowen
- Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - George H. Trksak
- Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA, Sleep Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - Robert R. MacLean
- Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| | - Scott E. Lukas
- Behavioral Psychopharmacology Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA, Brain Imaging Center, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA, Sleep Research Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 115 Mill Street, Belmont MA, 02478, USA
| |
Collapse
|