New research indicates that common sleeping pills may temporarily reduce the levels of toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease in the brain. A small study conducted by Washington University in St. Louis found that participants who took suvorexant, a widely prescribed insomnia treatment, experienced a slight decrease in amyloid-beta and tau proteins – both key markers of Alzheimer’s pathology – after just two nights of use.
The Connection Between Sleep and Alzheimer’s
The link between sleep disturbances and Alzheimer’s is increasingly clear. Sleep disruptions often precede cognitive decline, and by the time symptoms like memory loss appear, amyloid-beta plaque levels are already peaking in the brain. Researchers theorize that improving sleep could allow the brain to clear out these proteins and other metabolic waste products more effectively.
The study, published in Annals of Neurology, involved 38 middle-aged adults with no existing sleep or cognitive issues. Participants were given either suvorexant or a placebo, and cerebrospinal fluid samples were analyzed to measure protein levels over 36 hours.
Key Findings and Caveats
Results showed that suvorexant reduced amyloid-beta concentrations by 10–20% compared to the placebo. The higher dose also temporarily lowered levels of hyperphosphorylated tau, a form of the tau protein linked to neuronal death. However, these effects were short-lived; tau levels rebounded within 24 hours.
Researchers emphasize caution regarding these findings. The trial was brief and involved a limited sample size, meaning the results cannot be immediately applied as a preventative measure. Prolonged use of sleeping pills can lead to dependence, and some may even impair sleep quality rather than improve it.
The Evolving Understanding of Alzheimer’s
The study underscores the need for further research, but also highlights a broader debate in the Alzheimer’s field. The long-held belief that amyloid-beta buildup causes Alzheimer’s is under increasing scrutiny, as decades of research targeting amyloid has failed to produce effective treatments.
Neurologist Brendan Lucey, who led the study, suggests that future research should investigate the long-term effects of sleeping pills on protein levels in older adults, while acknowledging the potential drawbacks.
“We’re not quite there yet,” Lucey said, adding that improving general sleep hygiene and addressing conditions like sleep apnea remain sensible approaches to brain health.
The relationship between sleep and Alzheimer’s remains complex, but this study provides further evidence that prioritizing good sleep may be an important step in mitigating cognitive decline.
