Insomnia Drug Lemborexant Shows Promise in Slowing Alzheimer's
A new hope for Alzheimer's patients: Lemborexant, an insomnia medication, might slow or even prevent the disease's progression, rather than just managing symptoms. Preclinical studies show promising results in reducing brain damage and improving sleep patterns.
Alzheimer's disease is marked by the accumulation of toxic tau proteins that form tangles inside neurons, disrupting their function and leading to neuronal death. These tangles correlate more closely with brain atrophy and cognitive decline than amyloid plaques. Lemborexant, approved for insomnia, has shown potential in targeting this tau pathology.
The drug works by regulating the orexin system, which controls wakefulness, appetite, and arousal. In neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's, this system becomes dysregulated and overactive, leading to chronic sleep fragmentation and excessive daytime sleepiness. Lemborexant reduces brain damage associated with Alzheimer's by preventing the accumulation of toxic tau proteins and restoring healthier sleep patterns in laboratory models of the disease.
In clinical studies, currently in Phase 2 trials, Lemborexant has shown the ability to preserve brain structure and prevent brain shrinkage typically seen in Alzheimer's progression. By targeting sleep disturbances, Lemborexant might slow or prevent Alzheimer's progression, offering a new avenue in the fight against dementia.
While more clinical trials are needed, Lemborexant's potential in slowing or preventing Alzheimer's disease progression is significant. By targeting tau pathology and improving sleep patterns, this insomnia medication could revolutionize Alzheimer's treatment, moving beyond symptom management towards disease modification.
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