Lemborexant Shows Promise in Fighting Alzheimer's via Sleep
Lemborexant, a medication approved in Germany for treating insomnia, has shown promising results in laboratory models of Alzheimer's disease. Although not authorized for Alzheimer's patients, its off-label use might offer hope for managing the condition under careful medical supervision.
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the buildup of tau proteins into twisted tangles, disrupting brain function. This leads to chronic sleep fragmentation and excessive daytime sleepiness due to dysregulation of the orexin system, which regulates wakefulness, appetite, and arousal. Lemborexant, an insomnia medication, works by targeting this system through the orexin signaling pathway.
In laboratory models, Lemborexant reduced tau buildup and restored healthier sleep patterns. It prevented the accumulation of toxic tau proteins, which destroy neurons and cause cognitive decline. Moreover, it preserved brain structure and prevented shrinkage typically seen in Alzheimer's disease progression. This is significant because tau pathology correlates more closely with brain atrophy and cognitive decline than amyloid plaques.
While Lemborexant is not yet authorized for treating Alzheimer's disease, its potential in slowing or preventing disease progression by targeting sleep disturbances is encouraging. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in human clinical trials. Off-label use in Alzheimer's patients should be carefully supervised by medical professionals.
