Alzheimer's cure: Common sleeping pill offers hope of major breakthrough
A common sleeping pill could reduce alzheimer's linked proteins in the brain
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A common sleeping pill could reduce Alzheimer's linked proteins in the brain, a small study suggests.
Washington University in Missouri monitored 38 people, as they used suvorexant — a prescription medication sold under the brand Belsomra — for two nights.
The cause of Alzheimer's remains unknown but some suggest that a build-up of proteins in the brain — such as amyloid and tau — can slow communication between cells and even kill them leading to the disease.
Researchers found that those who took the highest dose had amyloid levels that were up to a fifth lower than other participants in their spinal fluid by the next morning.
Scientists warn that they are not urging people to start taking the sleeping pills every night
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Following the experiment, scientists warn that they are not urging people to start taking the pills every night as much more "extensive research" is needed to support the results.
Previous research has suggested that taking sleeping pills can increase someone's risk of the disease because they disrupt a healthy night's sleep.
Other reports indicate that factors such as damage to blood vessels running through the brain could be behind the disease.
Studies show that sleep can help clear these proteins from the brain.
Suvorexant is only available on prescription in the US for those with insomnia at the price of around $15 per pill, although on insurance it is available at a lower price.
During the study, scientists recruited 38 participants aged 45 to 65 with no cognitive impairments.
They were split into three equal groups and given either a high dose of the drug (20mg), a low dose (10mg) or a placebo.
Researchers found that after the first night, patients who received the highest dose of suvorexant had a 10 to 20 per cent dip in amyloid levels and levels of tau fell by 10 to 15 per cent.
The cause of Alzheimer's remains unknown but some suggest that a build-up of proteins in the brain
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Senior author Dr Brendan Lucey, a sleep medic, said that the study was "small" and a "proof-of-concept".
"It would be premature for people who are worried about developing Alzheimer's to interpret it as a reason to start taking suvorexant every night," he said.
"We don't yet know whether long-term use is effective in staving off cognitive decline, and if it is, at what dose and for whom."
He added: "Still, these results are very encouraging.
"This drug is already available and proven safe, and now we have evidence it affects the levels of proteins that are critical for driving Alzheimer's disease."
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