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Gut Microbiome Composition Changes During Insomnia Treatment with Lemborexant
Seiko Miyata1, Kunihiro Iwamoto1, Mikako Ito2
1Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Lemborexant treatment for insomnia altered gut microbiota, significantly reducing Parabacteroides. This highlights a potential link between hypnotic medications and gut microbial balance in patients with sleep disorders.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neuroscience
- Sleep medicine
Background:
- Insomnia is a prevalent global health issue.
- The microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a role in regulating sleep.
- Lemborexant is an effective insomnia treatment, but its impact on gut microbiota is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gut microbiota and hypnotic drug use in individuals with insomnia.
- To examine how lemborexant treatment affects gut microbial composition and function.
Main Methods:
- 29 adults with insomnia underwent sleep monitoring and stool analysis.
- Gut microbiota changes were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing.
- Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Lemborexant treatment increased gut microbial beta diversity and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio.
- A significant decrease in the *Parabacteroides* genus was observed after 12 weeks.
- *Akkermansia* negatively correlated with sleep efficiency, while *Allisonella* showed mixed correlations.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged lemborexant use in insomnia patients can induce significant shifts in gut microbiota composition.
- A notable reduction in *Parabacteroides* suggests a potential interaction between hypnotic use and gut microbial balance.
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