Alzheimer's symptoms as study finds common pill could reduce risk of disease

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Taking sleeping pills could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to new research. Scientists discovered that people who popped the drugs before bedtime had fewer rogue brain proteins linked to the disease.Poor sleep is linked to cognitive decline, with disturbed rest often an early sign of the disease.

Many patients start experiencing it years before memory loss and confusion emerge.During the study, researchers tracked 38 people who used suvorexant - a prescription medication sold under the brand name Belsomra - for two nights.People who were given the highest dose had amyloid levels that were up to a fifth lower than other participants in their spinal fluid by the next morning.Alzheimer’s disease begins when plaques of amyloid beta start building up - killing neurons.

Years later a second protein called tau also forms into toxic tangles.While the cause of Alzheimer's is not clear, previous research suggests a build-up of these proteins in the brain can slow down or kill off cells, leading to the disease.Scientists say the results of the study are 'very encouraging' and could hint at a potential treatment of sleeping pills to slow or stop progression of dementia.However, the researchers are not urging people to start taking the pills every night, as more extensive research is needed.With no cure in sight, there is an increasing focus on lifestyle factors that reduce risk such as eating right and getting plenty of exercise - and sleep.Senior author Professor Brendan Lucey, of Washington University in the United States, said: "This is a small, proof-of-concept study."It would be premature for people who are worried about developing Alzheimer's to interpret it as a reason to start taking suvorexant