The observed improvements in arousal level, motor control, and consistency of behavior could be a result of direct activation of frontal cortical and basal ganglia systems that were innervated by neurons within the thalamic association nuclei. These neurons act as a key communication relay and form a pathway between the brainstem arousal systems and frontal lobe regions. This pathway is crucial for many executive functions such as working memory, effort regulation, selective attention, and focus.In another case study of a 50-year-old woman who had symptoms consistent with MCS, administration of zolpidem, a sedative hypnotic drug improved the patients condition significantly. Without treatment, the patient showed signs of mutism, athetoid movements of the extremities, and complete dependence for all personal care. 45 minutes after 5 to 10 mg of zolpidem was administered, the patient ceased the athetoid movements, regained speaking ability, and was able to self-feed. The effect lasted 3–4 hours from which she returned to the former state. The effects were repeated on a daily basis. PET scans showed that after zolpidem was administered, there was a marked increase in blood flow to areas of the brain adjacent to or distant from damaged tissues. In this case, these areas were the ipsilateral cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum. These areas are thought to have been inhibited by the site of injury through a GABA-mediated mechanism and the inhibition was modified by zolpidem which is a GABA agonist.
Copanlisib (trade name Aliqopa  AL-ih-KOH-pah; codenamed BAY 80-6946) is a drug which is approved by US FDA for the treatment of adult patients experiencing relapsed follicular lymphoma who have received at least two prior systemic therapies.Copanlisib has been shown to have an effect against survival and spread of cancerous B-cells. Efficacy resulting in the approval of copanlisib was based on the subgroup of 104 patients with follicular lymphoma from a Phase 2 clinical trial. Of these, 59 percent had a complete or partial shrinkage of their tumors that lasted about 12 months. To assess the safety of the drug, data from 168 adults with follicular lymphoma and other hematologic malignancies treated with copanlisib were evaluated.Copanlisib is administered as intravenous infusion on a weekly but intermittent schedule (three weeks on and one week off). Copanlisib is currently approved only in the United States. Adverse effects
Data for safety and efficacy of copanlisib are described in the consumer-targeted FDA Drug Trial Snapshot. Copanlisib can cause serious side effects including infections, hyperglycemia, hypertension, pneumonitis, neutropenia and skin rashes. The most common side effects of copanlisib are hyperglycemia, diarrhea, decreased general strength and energy, hypertension, leukopenia, neutropenia, nausea, lower respiratory tract infections and thrombocytopenia. Copanlisib can cause harm to unborn babies. Patients with reproductive potential are thus advised to use effective contraception. Lactating patients are advised to not breastfeed. Mechanism of action
Copanlisib is an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) with inhibitory activity predominantly against PI3K-α and PI3K-δ isoforms expressed in malignant B-cells.