Question
Drug facilitating GABA without anticonvulsant & muscle relaxant property and no effect on sleep –
| A. |
Diazepam
|
| B. |
Zolpidem
|
| C. |
Phenobarbitone
|
| D. |
Buspirone
|
Show Answer
|
Correct Answer » B
Explanation
|
|
Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic that acts on the GABA-A receptor complex, preferentially at the α1 subunit.
Its main action is:
It has minimal or no significant:
- Anticonvulsant action
- Skeletal muscle-relaxant action
It also causes relatively less alteration of normal sleep architecture compared with conventional benzodiazepines.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Diazepam
- Facilitates GABA-A receptor activity
- Has anticonvulsant properties
- Has skeletal muscle-relaxant properties
- Therefore, incorrect.
B. Zolpidem
- Facilitates GABA-A-mediated inhibition
- Mainly produces hypnosis
- Minimal anticonvulsant and muscle-relaxant effects
- Correct answer.
C. Phenobarbitone
- Facilitates GABA-mediated inhibition
- Has significant anticonvulsant activity
- Therefore, incorrect.
D. Buspirone
- Mainly acts as a 5-hydroxytryptamine-1A (5-HT1A) receptor partial agonist
- Does not act primarily by facilitating GABA
