New Hope for Alzheimer's: Drug May Slow Progression by Targeting Sleep
A new study published in Nature Neuroscience offers hope for Alzheimer's patients. Eisai Co., Ltd.'s insomnia medication, Lemborexant, may slow or prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease, rather than just managing symptoms. The drug targets sleep disturbances, which are often overlooked but significantly impact the condition.
Lemborexant works by regulating the orexin signaling pathway, which controls wakefulness. In Alzheimer's disease, this system becomes dysregulated, leading to chronic sleep fragmentation and excessive daytime sleepiness. The drug prevents the accumulation of toxic tau proteins that destroy neurons, preserving brain structure and preventing shrinkage typically seen in the disease's progression.
Tau pathology correlates more closely with brain atrophy and cognitive decline than amyloid plaques. Lemborexant reduced tau buildup and restored healthier sleep patterns in laboratory models of Alzheimer's disease. The drug's ability to target tau, rather than just managing symptoms, could be a significant breakthrough in Alzheimer's treatment.
Eisai Co., Ltd.'s Lemborexant shows promise in slowing or preventing Alzheimer's disease progression by targeting sleep disturbances and reducing tau buildup. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in human clinical trials. If successful, this could revolutionize Alzheimer's treatment, moving away from symptom management towards disease modification.
