Suvorexant Cuts 2 Alzheimer’s Markers After 2 Nights in Small Study
Updated
Updated · Futura · Aug 11
Suvorexant Cuts 2 Alzheimer’s Markers After 2 Nights in Small Study
2 articles · Updated · Futura · Aug 11
Summary
Two nights of suvorexant lowered beta-amyloid and tau levels in participants’ cerebrospinal fluid, pointing to a possible sleep-based route to slow Alzheimer’s-related changes.
Washington University researchers said the insomnia drug may help the brain clear toxic proteins during sleep, reinforcing evidence that disrupted sleep is tied to Alzheimer’s risk and may appear before memory symptoms.
Dr. Brendan Lucey cautioned the 2023 Annals of Neurology study was short and small, making it too early to treat suvorexant as an Alzheimer’s preventive therapy.
A 1% annual loss of deep slow-wave sleep has been linked to a 27% higher dementia risk in people over 60, underscoring why sleep hygiene and treatment of disorders such as sleep apnea remain a near-term focus.