Doctors shocked about this everyday pill that could lower your risk of Alzheimer’s
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In the quest to combat the ever-looming threat of Alzheimer's disease, a condition that affects millions of Americans in the senior community, a surprising ally may have emerged from the medicine cabinet.
The medication in question commonly prescribed for insomnia under the brand name Belsomra has shown potential in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's in a way that has both intrigued and surprised researchers.
A study conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine has shed light on the possible benefits of suvorexant, known under brand name Belsomra, beyond its primary use as a sleep aid.
In a small-scale study involving 38 participants aged between 45 and 65 years old, all free from known cognitive impairments, researchers observed the effects of suvorexant on levels of two proteins: hyperphosphorylated tau and amyloid.
These proteins are notorious for their association with Alzheimer's disease, forming plaques and tangles that disrupt brain function.
Participants were divided into three groups: a placebo group, a group that took 10 mg of suvorexant, and another that took 20 mg of the drug.
The findings were significant: those who took 20 mg of suvorexant experienced a reduction in amyloid levels by 10% to 20% and a decrease in hyperphosphorylated tau levels by 10% to 15%.
Although the tau levels returned to baseline after 24 hours, the lowered amyloid levels persisted.
The exact mechanisms by which suvorexant may lower the risk of Alzheimer's remain unclear for researchers. However, they do have some theories.
Dr. Brendan Lucey, the lead researcher and an associate professor of neurology at Washington University's Sleep Medicine Center, suggests that chronic poor sleep could increase the risk of Alzheimer's dementia.
He said, “Chronic poor sleep may put you at risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. A major goal of our research is to find out if treating the sleep problems before people have any signs of cognitive problems can slow or even stop the progress of Alzheimer's disease.”
By improving sleep quality, suvorexant might indirectly influence the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
However, it's crucial to note that suvorexant is not being hailed as a miracle cure. Dr. Lucey emphasizes that the study's results are preliminary and do not advocate for the use of suvorexant as a preventive measure against Alzheimer's.
Instead, they highlight the need for further research to explore the drug's long-term effects and its potential to delay or prevent Alzheimer's symptoms.
While the prospect of suvorexant as a preventive measure against Alzheimer's is promising, it's not without its disadvantages.
Higher doses of the drug may lead to side effects such as reduced daytime alertness and poor motor coordination, which could be particularly detrimental to patients with cognitive decline.
Dr. Bruce Albala, an adjunct professor of neurology at the University of California Irvine, cautions against the indiscriminate use of suvorexant, especially in higher doses.
Presently, suvorexant is not used to treat dementia or Alzheimer's directly. However, it is sometimes prescribed to dementia patients who experience sleep disturbances—a common symptom of cognitive impairment.
Dr. Meredith Bock, a board-certified neurologist and chief medical officer at Remo Health, explains that dementia can disrupt the brain's natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to difficulties in falling and staying asleep.
She remarked, “When a person is living with dementia, their brain's chemistry and networks change. For some people living with dementia, these changes can impact their body's regulation of this natural rhythm.”
The relationship between sleep and dementia appears to be cyclical. Poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep duration have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline.
Conversely, some sleeping pills have been associated with a heightened risk of dementia, underscoring the complexity of finding safe and effective treatments. So, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting medications to help you sleep.
Have you or someone you know been affected by Alzheimer's? What steps are you taking to protect your cognitive health? Share your stories and insights in the comments below!
The medication in question commonly prescribed for insomnia under the brand name Belsomra has shown potential in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's in a way that has both intrigued and surprised researchers.
A study conducted by the Washington University School of Medicine has shed light on the possible benefits of suvorexant, known under brand name Belsomra, beyond its primary use as a sleep aid.
In a small-scale study involving 38 participants aged between 45 and 65 years old, all free from known cognitive impairments, researchers observed the effects of suvorexant on levels of two proteins: hyperphosphorylated tau and amyloid.
These proteins are notorious for their association with Alzheimer's disease, forming plaques and tangles that disrupt brain function.
Participants were divided into three groups: a placebo group, a group that took 10 mg of suvorexant, and another that took 20 mg of the drug.
Researchers have found that suvorexant, a medication commonly prescribed for insomnia, might lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease by reducing levels of certain proteins in the brain. Image source: Pexels / Ahsanjaya.
The findings were significant: those who took 20 mg of suvorexant experienced a reduction in amyloid levels by 10% to 20% and a decrease in hyperphosphorylated tau levels by 10% to 15%.
Although the tau levels returned to baseline after 24 hours, the lowered amyloid levels persisted.
The exact mechanisms by which suvorexant may lower the risk of Alzheimer's remain unclear for researchers. However, they do have some theories.
Dr. Brendan Lucey, the lead researcher and an associate professor of neurology at Washington University's Sleep Medicine Center, suggests that chronic poor sleep could increase the risk of Alzheimer's dementia.
He said, “Chronic poor sleep may put you at risk of Alzheimer’s dementia. A major goal of our research is to find out if treating the sleep problems before people have any signs of cognitive problems can slow or even stop the progress of Alzheimer's disease.”
By improving sleep quality, suvorexant might indirectly influence the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
However, it's crucial to note that suvorexant is not being hailed as a miracle cure. Dr. Lucey emphasizes that the study's results are preliminary and do not advocate for the use of suvorexant as a preventive measure against Alzheimer's.
Instead, they highlight the need for further research to explore the drug's long-term effects and its potential to delay or prevent Alzheimer's symptoms.
While the prospect of suvorexant as a preventive measure against Alzheimer's is promising, it's not without its disadvantages.
Higher doses of the drug may lead to side effects such as reduced daytime alertness and poor motor coordination, which could be particularly detrimental to patients with cognitive decline.
Dr. Bruce Albala, an adjunct professor of neurology at the University of California Irvine, cautions against the indiscriminate use of suvorexant, especially in higher doses.
Presently, suvorexant is not used to treat dementia or Alzheimer's directly. However, it is sometimes prescribed to dementia patients who experience sleep disturbances—a common symptom of cognitive impairment.
Dr. Meredith Bock, a board-certified neurologist and chief medical officer at Remo Health, explains that dementia can disrupt the brain's natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to difficulties in falling and staying asleep.
She remarked, “When a person is living with dementia, their brain's chemistry and networks change. For some people living with dementia, these changes can impact their body's regulation of this natural rhythm.”
The relationship between sleep and dementia appears to be cyclical. Poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep duration have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline.
Conversely, some sleeping pills have been associated with a heightened risk of dementia, underscoring the complexity of finding safe and effective treatments. So, it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting medications to help you sleep.
Have you or someone you know been affected by Alzheimer's? What steps are you taking to protect your cognitive health? Share your stories and insights in the comments below!
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