Zolpidem restores sleep and slows Alzheimer's progression in a mouse model
Lu Yu1,2, Shinya Yokomizo1, Tri H Doan1
1Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
Introduction:
Deficits in Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) sleep facilitate Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Enhancing GABAergic signaling can restore sleep. Unbiased computational analysis identified zolpidem as high-affinity GABA receptor modulator facilitating chloride transport that could slow AD.
Methods:
Zolpidem's effects on sleep and Alzheimer's progression were evaluated in young APP/PS1 mice. Sleep was monitored with EEG/EMG telemetry. Widefield imaging with voltage-sensitive dyes was used to track sleep-dependent brain rhythms. Multiphoton microscopy allowed assessments of amyloid plaque load and basal neuronal calcium levels. Behavioral assays were used to measure memory and cognitive function.
Results:
Zolpidem restored NREM sleep and rescued sleep-dependent brain rhythm, slow oscillation. Zolpidem administration reduced cortical amyloid plaque burden, mitigated neuronal calcium overload, and enhanced sleep-dependent memory consolidation without adverse effects on locomotion.
Discussion:
Zolpidem effectively slowed Alzheimer's progression in young APP/PS1 mice. This supports zolpidem's therapeutic promise as an intervention strategy at early stages of AD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Management of Insomnia
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...


