Zolpidem is a hypnotic with less anxiolytic and muscle relaxant activity than benzodiazepines. This selective hypnotic property is due to its preferential binding to which subunit of the GABA-A receptor complex?

• A Alpha-1 subunit ✓
• B Alpha-2 subunit
• C Beta subunit
• D Gamma subunit

Explanation

Zolpidem binds preferentially to the BZ1 receptor, which contains the alpha-1 subunit of the GABA-A receptor complex. The alpha-1 subunit mediates sedation and hypnotic effects. Benzodiazepines bind non-selectively to alpha-1, alpha-2, alpha-3, and alpha-5 subunits, causing anxiolysis and myorelaxation alongside sedation.

Reference: Katzung and Trevor's Pharmacology, 12th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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