Which property distinguishes zolpidem from classical benzodiazepine hypnotics?

• A It produces marked anxiolytic activity at hypnotic doses
• B It acts selectively on the alpha-1 subunit-containing GABA-A receptor subtype ✓
• C It is a full agonist at all GABA-B receptors
• D It reversibly inhibits GABA transaminase

Explanation

Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine imidazopyridine hypnotic that binds preferentially to the benzodiazepine site on GABA-B receptors containing the alpha-1 subunit. This selectivity preserves sedative-hypnotic effects while producing minimal anxiolytic, myorelaxant and anticonvulsant activity compared with classical benzodiazepines, which bind alpha-1, alpha-2, alpha-3 and alpha-5 containing receptors indiscriminately. It does not touch GABA-A receptors or GABA catabolism, ruling out options C and D.

Reference: Katzung Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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