Imidazopyridines in Sleep Disorders [antikvár]

Preface The question "Why develop an additional hypnotic today?" appears to be relevant as a great number of drugs—all benzodiazepines—have already been introduced in past decades. However, these compounds lack specificity for neuronal binding sites and exhibit a wide range of unwanted effects: thus, alteration of sleep architecture and quality of sleep, aggravation of respiratory disturbances, residual effects and effects during the day, rebound insomnia, impairment of mnesic processes, tolerance and dependence appear to be, with variable incidence, inherent features of hypnotic medication. Accordingly, the introduction of a new hypnotic is justified only if the "newborn" represents a real pharmacological and therapeutic advance. Imidazopyridine compounds such as Zolpidem (Stilnox®) appear to satisfy this criteria. This sixth volume of L.E.R.S. Monograph Series presents the proceedings of a symposium on Zolpidem held in Paris on October 22-24, 1986. It includes extensive discussion on basic pharmacological research on sleep and on drug receptors; pharmacology, animal safety studies, pharmacokinetic and metabolic profiles of Zolpidem; thorough investigations of sleep patterns in healthy volunteers and insomniac patients treated with this drug; and results of short- and long-term clinical trials as well as the safety spectrum of Zolpidem in patients. The conclusion reached by the investigators during this symposium supports the view that the spectrum of Zolpidem breaks with the traditional pattern of the available hypnotic agents. The novel chemical class, the highly specific mode of action, the induction or restoration of a physiological sleep architecture, the virtual absence of residual effects and rebound insomnia, and tolerance as well as the apparent lack of dependence, open new paths in therapeutics and in the understanding of brain mechanisms. G. Bartholini President of L.E.R.S.