Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Common sleep aid may disrupt system that clears brain waste linked to Alzheimer's
Medical Xpress / University of Rochester Medical Center / Cell ^ | Jan. 8, 2025 | Maiken Nedergaard, MD, DMSc, et al

Posted on 01/14/2025 1:48:40 PM PST by ConservativeMind

Sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea can significantly impact health and quality of life. Poor sleep often precedes the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and is a predictor of early dementia.

Research describes for the first time the tightly synchronized oscillations in the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, cerebral blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that combine during non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep in mice.

These oscillations power the glymphatic system—a brain-wide network responsible for removing protein waste, including amyloid and tau, associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

The study also holds a warning for people who use the commonly prescribed sleep aid zolpidem. The drug suppressed the glymphatic system, potentially setting the stage for neurological disorders like Alzheimer's, which are the result of the toxic accumulation of proteins in the brain.

Unlike previous research, which immobilized the mice and used anesthesia to induce sleep, the new approach allowed researchers to record brain activity during long, uninterrupted periods of wakefulness and sleep while allowing mice to move freely during recordings.

The research highlights the critical role of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter associated with arousal, attention, and the body's response to stress.

The team observed that slow synchronized waves of norepinephrine, cerebral blood volume, and CSF flow characterized non-REM sleep. The norepinephrine triggered "micro-arousals," causing vasomotion, the rhythmic constriction of blood vessels independent of the heartbeat. This oscillation, in turn, generates the pumping action necessary to move CSF in the glymphatic system during sleep.

The study also explored whether sleep aids replicate the natural oscillations necessary for glymphatic function. The team focused on zolpidem, a sedative marketed under the name Ambien, which is prescribed to treat insomnia.

While zolpidem effectively induced sleep in the mice, it also suppressed norepinephrine oscillations, disrupting the glymphatic system and impeding the brain's waste-clearing processes, a finding that raises concerns about long-term use.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: ambien; zolpidem
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last
Ambien (zolpidem) appears to create longer-term issues by preventing removal of brain cellular waste, which a big concern with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases.
1 posted on 01/14/2025 1:48:40 PM PST by ConservativeMind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 01/14/2025 1:49:11 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
I have been hearing weird stories about Ambien for some time.

I am actually kind of surprised that anyone would take it.

3 posted on 01/14/2025 1:53:58 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear ( Not my circus. Not my monkeys. But I can pick out the clowns at 100 yards.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
"I'm here to collect your amyloid and tau protein waste to prevent neurodegenerative wasting away of the USA."


4 posted on 01/14/2025 1:55:39 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (They were the FA-est of times, they were the FO-est of times.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Thanks, I use Melatonin about half the time. It makes me sleepy but I seem to spend about the same amount of the night awake with or without it. Still experimenting with it. REM and Deep sleep both lacking a bit lately.


5 posted on 01/14/2025 1:58:37 PM PST by SaxxonWoods (Black guy upon receiving a MAGA hat: "MURICA!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Three things to do, before you try Big Pharma potions.

Get a dietary checkup, to ensure you are getting all your nutrition.
Exercise hard about 5 hours before you sleep.
Take a hot shower just before bed.
Read something relaxing in your evening hours.


6 posted on 01/14/2025 2:03:23 PM PST by Jonty30 (Liberals are a fulfillment of II Tim3:5. We are instructed to have nothing to do with those people. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

If you have trouble with sleep, try CBD. If you have trouble getting to sleep, try THC. I don’t do THC but I do CBD.


7 posted on 01/14/2025 2:07:03 PM PST by AppyPappy (If Hitler were alive today and criticized Trump, would he still be Hitler?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SaxxonWoods

I have the wake up at night problem as well. I’ve started taking melatonin with mixed results


8 posted on 01/14/2025 2:11:05 PM PST by God luvs America (6young 3.5 million pay no income tax and vote for DemoKrats...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Harmless Teddy Bear

I use 5-10 mg melatonin and also valerian at times (requires about a gram), but prescription trazodone is my heavy hitter.

Trazadone is not a z-drug like Ambien, TG, but was originally researched as an antidepressant. Now it is prescribed more often as a sedative. It gives me such deep and restful sleep I don’t need nearly as much as without it. Additionally, trazodone does not have significant anti-cholinergic effects so concerns about later dementia (as is the case with first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine) are considerably lessened.


9 posted on 01/14/2025 2:28:14 PM PST by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: AppyPappy

CBD is something I have but unfortunately has no sleep facilitating effect on me, even with a very healthy dose (100 mg). I agree it is worth trying, though. Different people are different. I know of a person for whom even trazadone doesn’t work.


10 posted on 01/14/2025 2:31:21 PM PST by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

As you recall, 40 Hz gamma entrainment may help to clear the neuro waste, at least in mice, but I would avoid the z-drugs if at all possible even so.


11 posted on 01/14/2025 2:34:05 PM PST by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

I have never tried Ambien, but it caused horrible nightmares for a friend of mine.

I use a shot or two of bourbon,And it works great for me But it certainly is not for everybody.If I wake up in the middle of the night I take another couple shots. I have no problem with deep REM sleep, I have Vivid dreams every night.


12 posted on 01/14/2025 2:35:35 PM PST by HerrBlucher
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

There is no free lunch.

It’s a rule that applies pretty much everywhere.


13 posted on 01/14/2025 2:38:33 PM PST by Red6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Heh, I’ve been on Zolpidem/ Ambien for 15yrs, with no problems. Not happy to read this article, but my Heart Disease, Kidney Disease or COPD will probably kill me before dementia sets in. I will pass this on to my primary care provider (PCP) at Wellspan.


14 posted on 01/14/2025 2:38:43 PM PST by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: steve86

Good memory! Yes, that is an option and I have an app that provides it.


15 posted on 01/14/2025 2:44:51 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: steve86

I find the time release melatonin formulas work best for me.


16 posted on 01/14/2025 2:47:42 PM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: SaxxonWoods
Thanks, I use Melatonin about half the time. It makes me sleepy but I seem to spend about the same amount of the night awake with or without it. Still experimenting with it. REM and Deep sleep both lacking a bit lately.

I use Melatonin maybe twice a week, the rest of the week I use CBD gummies or Dr. Teal's sleep spray (I spray it on my pillow), or nothing at all. Greenroads has gummies specifically for sleep and no you don't get high and no they are not addictive! I do not mix any of these, it's one or the other and some nites I don't take anything. I use the Melatonin gummies or sometimes the liquid, with the Melatonin gummies, I take one gummy and cut it in half, I take the first half about 15 minutes before bed and leave the other half on the night table for when I wake up in the middle of the nite to go to the bathroom, I take that half on the way to the bathroom!

https://greenroads.com/cbd-gummies

You can get the sleep spray at Walmart.

17 posted on 01/14/2025 3:01:32 PM PST by rockabyebaby (THE BEST IS YET TO COME - (PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Magnesium L-Threonate and calcium are great sleep aids need to take consistently I skip only once a week or so.


18 posted on 01/14/2025 3:10:17 PM PST by Chickensoup
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: rockabyebaby

Magnesium L-Threonate


19 posted on 01/14/2025 3:11:08 PM PST by Chickensoup
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Yeah, “good memory” ‘cuz I play that MIT 40 Hz track on my phone😊


20 posted on 01/14/2025 3:12:03 PM PST by steve86 (Numquam accusatus, numquam ad curiam ibit, numquam ad carcerem™)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-55 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson