Insomnia Treatment Linked to Potential Brain Damage Prevention in Alzheimer's
Revised Article:
Sleep disorders impact the lives of approximately 70 million folks worldwide, including conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea. Lack of quality slumber can take a significant toll on the body, resulting in reduced concentration and mental health issues.
Several studies have highlighted the link between sleep disorders and various health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal issues, and, notably, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
According to Dr. David M. Holtzman, the Barbara Burton and Reuben M. Morriss III Distinguished Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine, sleep issues often manifest years before other dementia symptoms become apparent.
Holtzman and his team's latest research offers hope for those suffering from sleep disorders, as they've discovered a medication commonly used to treat insomnia, lemborexant, may not only improve sleep quality but also protect the brain from the buildup of the protein tau.
In a study published in the journal, researchers focused on lemborexant, sold under the brand name Dayvigo. "Lemborexant belongs to a class of sleep medications known as dual orexin receptor antagonists," said the study's first author, Dr. Samira Parhizkar, an instructor at Washington University School of Medicine.
These drugs work by blocking orexin, a protein in the brain that keeps individuals awake. By inhibiting orexin signaling, the medication facilitates easier sleep, acting like a light switch that turns off and allows the brain and body to rest.
Scientists used lemborexant to treat a model of mice genetically predisposed to tau buildup in the brain. In the healthy brain, tau proteins function as "tracks" that help support cells and facilitate nutrient and signal transportation.
However, in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, the abnormal tau loses its shape and functional integrity, leading to tau tangles and subsequent nerve cell death, causing memory loss and confusion.
Treating the mice with lemborexant resulted in reduced tau buildup in the brain and less inflammatory brain damage, a known consequence of tau buildup in Alzheimer's disease.
Research from both Holtzman's lab and others has demonstrated that inflammation in the brain plays a significant role in the brain damage observed in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
In conclusion, the study reveals that lemborexant may be highly effective in safeguarding the brain from tau buildup and inflammatory injury. Furthermore, mice treated with the sleep aid showed a 30-40% larger hippocampus volume compared to those not treated, suggesting reduced brain damage and cellular loss.
This study's findings are consistent with previous research linking restful sleep with improved cognitive health. While these findings are exciting, further research is needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of lemborexant as a potential Alzheimer's treatment in humans.
- People suffering from sleep disorders, such as insomnia, may experience mental health problems and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, due to the significant link between sleep disorders and various health-and-wellness issues.
- The study published in the journal focused on lemborexant, a medication commonly used to treat insomnia, which not only improves sleep quality but also protects the brain from the buildup of the protein tau, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders.
- In the study, it was discovered that lemborexant, sold under the brand name Dayvigo, can reduce tau buildup in the brain and lessen inflammatory brain damage, a known consequence of tau buildup in Alzheimer's disease, which may help preserve brain health.
- In addition, treating mice with lemborexant resulted in a 30-40% larger hippocampus volume compared to those not treated, indicating reduced brain damage and cellular loss, which may be promising for potential Alzheimer's treatments in humans.
- While these findings are exciting, further medical-conditions research is necessary to determine the safety and effectiveness of lemborexant as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological-disorders related to sleep disorders.
