Effect of zolpidem on functional recovery in a rat model of ischemic stroke. Issue 1 (January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oh, Min-Kyun; Yoon, Kyung Jae; Lee, Yong-Taek; Chae, Seoung Wan; Choi, Hye Young; Shin, Hee Suk; Park, Yun Hee; Chun, Se-Woong; Park, Young Sook
• Is Part Of: Journal of international medical research. Volume 46:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 249
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2018-01
• Subjects: Zolpidem -- insomnia -- stroke -- recovery -- ischemia -- rat model of ischemic stroke; Medicine -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060517723799
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0605

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of zolpidem on functional recovery in a rat model of acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Following ischemic stroke procedures, 42 rats (six in each group) were randomly assigned to receive zolpidem (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 mg/kg) or normal saline administer intraperitoneally once daily for two weeks. Motor behavioural index (MBI) scores, radial 8-arm maze (RAM) test times and brain MRI scans were obtained 24 hours (Day 1) and two weeks (Day 14) post-procedure. Immunohistochemistry was performed on Day 14. Results: By comparison with the normal saline group, the 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg zolpidem groups showed statistically significant improvements in MBI scores and increased numbers of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stained cells over the two week dosing period. By contrast, the 4.0 mg/kg zolpidem group had statistically significantly impaired MBI scores compared with the control group. No differences among groups were found in RAM times or infarction volumes. Conclusions: This study in a rat model showed that 0.5–1.0 mg/kg of zolpidem had beneficial effects on behavioural recovery by enhancing neural plasticity without causing any memory impairment in acute ischemic stroke.