We all know how vital sleep is to our overall health, but it might play a bigger role in our brain health than we previously thought.
We know that a good night’s sleep is important, as it allows our brain to strengthen important neuronal connections, clear toxins via the glymphatic system, restore the brain’s ability to focus and think clearly, and so much more. It is vital that you get at least 7 hours of sleep a night so your brain can reach NREM and REM sleep. It is also important you have a good night’s sleep, as poor sleep has been linked to an increased risk in Alzheimer’s.
In Alzheimer’s disease, there is a buildup of proteins amyloid-beta and tau. The buildup of these proteins in and around the neurons will lead to neuronal death. This neuronal death leads to cognitive and memory diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's. (There are currently more than 6 million people in the united states living with Alzheimer's).
With such a prevalent disease, researchers are constantly looking for preventative or altering medicines. And within this search, an unlikely candidate might prove helpful.
Suvorexant, a DORAs drug (dual orexin receptor antagonists), has been developed to help combat the effects of insomnia. By blocking orexin, patients are able to fall asleep - but it might help with their brain health too!
In a recent clinical trial of 38 volunteers (between the ages of 45 and 65 who were relatively cognitively healthy), they were split into a placebo and treatment group. The treatment group received suvorexant and the amyloid-beta levels and phosphorylated tau in the cerebrospinal fluid was measured across each group.
They saw a 10 - 15% drop in phosphorylated tau and a 10-20% decrease in amyloid-beta. With the reduction of both of these proteins, it can lead one to believe it will help in neuronal death and eventually Alzheimer's. And while the long-term effects of suvorexant have not yet been studied, it proves promising.
So perhaps sleep is more important in diseases such as Alzheimer's than we previously believed.
Lucey BP, Liu H, Toedebusch CD, Freund D, Redrick T, Chahin SL, Mawuenyega KG, Bollinger JG, Ovod V, Barthélemy NR, Bateman RJ. Suvorexant Acutely Decreases Tau Phosphorylation and Aβ in the Human CNS. Ann Neurol. 2023 Jul;94(1):27-40. doi: 10.1002/ana.26641. Epub 2023 Apr 20. PMID: 36897120; PMCID: PMC10330114.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2025, September 18). Insomnia drug may lower levels of alzheimer’s proteins. National Institutes of Health. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/insomnia-drug-may-lower-levels-alzheimers-proteins
Such a nice blog, RYLIE!! I also did a post on sleep, and my discussion mainly focused on whether 8 hours of sleep is essential. I like how you include details that sleep plays an important role in strengthening brain function. I like to think that our brain needs to be recharged and rested in order for it to function well after a well-rested night of sleep.
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