Imidazopyridines in Sleep Disorders: A Novel Experimental and Therapeutic Approach

Descriere

Recent pharmacological and clinical studies have shown that imidazopyridine compounds such as zolpidem (Stilnox[R]) have a more specific mode of action than benzodiazepine hypnotics, are more effective at inducing or restoring a physiological sleep architecture, and do not tend to produce the residual effects, rebound insomnia, tolerance, and dependence associated with traditional hypnotic agents. This volume presents a wide range of pharmacological, preclinical, and clinical studies on this novel class of hypnotics. After reviewing relevant basic research on sleep and drug receptors, the contributors present pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and animal safety studies and metabolic profiles of zolpidem. The book presents extensive studies on sleep patterns in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients treated with zolpidem and results of short- and long-term clinical trials. The contributors also discuss the safety spectrum of zolpidem in patients.