Philadelphia, PA, April 25, 2007 ─ Dramatic license is often taken in relating stories of patients who, after a serious brain injury, fall into a vegetative state and then miraculously awaken. In reality there are no proven treatments to help these patients regain consciousness. However, recent reports suggest that three such patients experienced dramatic improvements when given the commonly prescribed sleeping medication zolpidem, commercially known as Ambien.

In order to gather systematic date, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has awarded the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute at MossRehab, the nationally known rehabilitation hospital a grant to study how often this type of response occurs; whether less dramatic benefits can be seen in larger numbers of patients; and whether it can be determined which individuals are likely to benefit. Caregivers may enroll patients in the study by calling 215-456-6526.

In the Moss study, individuals in vegetative states will be given zolpidem on one day and a placebo on another. They will be carefully assessed over a six-hour period each day to monitor and evaluate differences in their response. Those who respond significantly may be studied further. For more information, call 215-456-6526.

About Albert Einstein Healthcare Network

Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, is a 1,200 bed integrated delivery network serving the communities of North Philadelphia and Montgomery County, PA. A founding member of the Jefferson Health System, Einstein combines the best of academic medicine and community service, employing nearly 7,000 people, and offering training programs for physician residents and fellows, nurses and other health professionals. The Network provides healthcare services through the Albert Einstein Medical Center and Einstein at Elkins Park hospitals, its MossRehab and Belmont Behavioral Health divisions, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), outpatient facilities such as Center One and Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare, network of primary care and specialist practices throughout the community. For more information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.