A study published in 2023 found that the common insomnia drug suvorexant may reduce the buildup of toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis gave 38 healthy, middle-aged adults either a dose of suvorexant or a placebo for two nights. Those who took the sleeping pill saw a 10 to 20 percent drop in amyloid-beta levels in their cerebrospinal fluid. A higher dose also temporarily reduced levels of hyperphosphorylated tau.
The findings support a growing link between poor sleep and Alzheimer's, but the study was very short and involved only healthy participants. Lead researcher Dr. Brendan Lucey warned it is "premature" to take the drug nightly for prevention. He emphasized improving sleep hygiene remains the safest approach for brain health.
Still, the results offer a new avenue for research. Lucey expressed hope that future, longer-term studies could measure a lasting effect on protein levels. The study was published in Annals of Neurology.
