NCMD Seminar 6th February 2026

NCMD Research Seminar Series 6 February 2026

Dr Niraj Ahuja and Harry Hacket, Consultant Psychiatrist, Regional Affective Disorders (RADS), CNTW.  

Niraj Ahuja works as a consultant psychiatrist with the regional affective disorder service (RADS) and has a special interest in catatonia. 

Harry Hackett is a higher research assistant working within the CNTW’s Care Pathway Enhancement (CaPE) Clinic. Harry also works as a central research assistant on the ASCEnD Trial. 

Presentation title: Zolpidem: another instrument in the armamentarium for catatonia?

This presentation will summarise a systematic review of case reports on the use of zolpidem in the diagnosis and treatment of catatonia. It will outline the review’s findings, discuss possible mechanism(s) of action, and consider clinical contexts in which zolpidem may be effective both as a diagnostic tool and as a treatment, including when BAP recommended treatments such as benzodiazepines or electroconvulsive therapy are unavailable or ineffective. The presentation will also discuss areas where further research is needed and implications for clinical care.