Akinetic mutism is a medical term describing patients tending neither to move (akinesia) nor speak (mutism). Akinetic mutism was first described in 1941 as a mental state where patients lack the ability to move or speak. However, their eyes may follow their observer or be diverted by sound. Akinetic mutism is a rare disorder, patients are awake, but in state of profound apathy, making them indifferent to pain, thirst or hunger.

A 29-year-old Dutch man called Richard choked on a piece of meat while out for dinner with friends. He suffered a heart attack and oxygen deprivation, causing severe hypoxic brain damage. Although Richard experienced some neurological recovery, he was no longer capable of spontaneous movement and was unable to speak. He was therefore transferred to a nursing home without a formal diagnosis of his hypo responsive state.

After 8 years a new physician started working at Richard’s nursing home, she re-evaluated his condition and diagnosed him with a condition called akinetic mutism. So the medical center approached the family of Richard and discussed a new treatment procedure. To treat him with a sleeping drug called zolpidem. Zolpidem is used to treat insomnia. The family agreed.

This sleeping drug caused Richard to speak for the first time in eight years. The zolpidem caused Richard to talk with his nurse and was able to talk to his father over the phone. He was also able to get up from his wheelchair and walk around with assistance.

But sadly, Richard only lasted for two hours before he relapsed and went back to his previous condition. Later, the team found out that the more often the drug was administered, the less effective it became.

Zolpidem actually reduces this amount of ‘over-activity’ or chaos within the brain. Therefore the brain could make contact with the body and re-communicate too. Resulting the brain to function normally.