The Sleeping Pill Known as Ambien Awakens Some Minimally Conscious Patients

Imagine awakening after 5 long years and seeing your mom's face? That's what happened to George Melendez, as a result of a commonly used sleep medication. But the drug, Ambien, didn't put him to sleep; it woke him up from a very long nap. George was just a regular guy, who played baseball on his college's varsity team, until he experienced a terrible car crash. The accident left him severely brain damaged, and in what is known as a "minimally conscious" state. He could not walk, talk, or eat normally, and there is no cure for this type of brain damage.

According to ABC News and CBS 60 Minutes, recent research documented in the medical journal, Neuroscience, confirms that people in this state, may be quite aware, but trapped in an incapacitated body. New brain imaging technology allowed researchers, from New York Presbyterian Hospital, to see changes reflected in the brain of the minimally conscious, when exposed to their loved ones' voices. While listening to audio tapes of the voices, their brain activity was very similar to that of a fully conscious person. But when no recording was played, their brain activity was less than half of a healthy person.

For the estimated 100,000 to 300,000 people who have been diagnosed in this way, Ambien and other drugs, are being studied as a possible source of improvement. Not all patients experience this awakening effect, but for those who do, it seems like a miracle. George's mom discovered the effects of the drug quite by accident. One evening when George couldn't sleep, and was moaning loudly, his mother decided to give him a prescription, that the doctor had hoped would help with his restlessness. Just 10 minutes after his first dose, he was alert and answering questions, by shaking his head yes or no. He even spoke for the first time in 5 years. His mom gave him another dose the next day, and kept seeing an improved response. Doctors were skeptical, until they did brain imaging scans, that confirmed his brain was functioning much better after the medication was given. It was as if his brain "turned on", according to one of the doctors. Since that first dose, George receives Ambien 3 times a day, and has progressed to the diagnostic level of "severely disabled". While his mom knows she'll never have him back 100%, she is grateful for the amazing improvement she has witnessed. 'It was glorious to hear his voice again," she said. "The little changes we see-they are monumental to us."

ABC News witnessed the startling transformation while visiting Melendez. Before the medication, he was stiff, unresponsive, and uncomfortable. After the Ambien, he was able to say his name, and make the numbers one and two with his fingers. His mom said the effect of the drug will last for several hours, before wearing off.

Doctor Ralf Clauss has studied two other similar cases, and believes that Ambien may temporarily reverse some of the brain damage, in the areas that are dormant. "We are seeing restoration of consciousness and restoration of function in our patients."

Dr. Wendy Wright, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery, at the renown Emory University, in Atlanta, said, "It is known that these patients who have minimal consciousness can have a paradoxical reaction to things that make other people fall asleep. There are patients, who have been in vegetative states, that doctors have given Ambien to, who have had transient awakenings."

Researchers caution that this effect is very rare, but further research may lead to better treatment solutions, for brain damaged patients.

Sources: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=2154940&page=1
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Schiavo/story?id=600523&page=1
CBS 60 Minutes Television Program, "Awakenings: Return to Life", Sunday, November 25,2007 (see website)
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml