2023-07-13 08:28:55
American researchers have tested the interest of suvorexant, a sleeping pill authorized in the United States against insomnia, in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s a vicious circle. Sleep disturbances are a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease, and it leads to changes in the brain that… disrupt sleep! To break the cycle, sleeping pills could be a great help.
Improve sleep quality
A study published on April 20 in Annals of Neurology interested in the usefulness of suvorexanta sleeping pill authorized in the United States against insomnia. The Washington University team in St. Louis led a little experience in the clinic for two days. A total of thirty-eight participants aged 45 to 65 without cognitive impairment were recruited.
The researchers wanted to know if improving sleep quality could reduce levels of tau and beta-amyloid. Remember, high levels of these two proteins cerebrospinal fluid, present the brain and spinal cord, are involved in the development of Alzheimer’s. Disease “begins when plaques of amyloid-beta protein begin to build up in the brain. After years of amyloid accumulation, a second brain protein, tau, begins to form tangles toxic to neurons. Affected individuals begin to experience cognitive symptoms such as memory loss when tau tangles become detectable”defines a statement from Washington University.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the sleeping pill, some volunteers received a low dose of suvorexant, others had a higher dose and finally, another last part consumed placebo. Several times during the experiment, samples of their cerebrospinal fluid were taken.
Results: In the group with the highest dose, beta-amyloid concentrations were reduced by 10 to 20%and levels of a modified form of tau – hyperphosphorylated tau – fell by 10% to 15%, compared to placebo.
Attention !
“This is a small proof-of-concept study. It would be premature for people who fear develop Alzheimer’s disease to interpret it as a reason to start taking suvorexant every night,” nuanced lead author Brendan Lucey, associate professor of neurology and director of the University of Washington Sleep Medicine Center.
The effect of the sleeping pill was observed only one form of tau protein, and concentrations rebounded within 24 hours after taking the sleeping pill. “We don’t yet know if long-term use is effective in warding off cognitive decline, and if so, at what dose and for whom. Nevertheless, these results are very encouraging”he adds.
The next studies will focus on a longer hold, in order to “to measure the effect on amyloid and tau over time”completed the author. “We will also study older participants and may still be cognitively healthy, but already have amyloid plaques in their brain. This study involved healthy middle-aged participants; results may be different in an older population.”
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