Could a sleep pill ward off Alzheimer's? new trial aims to find out

NCT ID NCT07213349

Recruiting now Prevention Sponsor: Douglas Mental Health University Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether daridorexant, a sleep medication, can help the brain clear proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease. The trial includes 240 adults without dementia, regardless of sleep issues. Participants take the drug or a placebo nightly for one year, and researchers measure changes in Alzheimer's-related proteins in the blood.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: daridorexant (a sleep medication)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a new way to prevent Alzheimer's disease by improving brain waste clearance during sleep.
What could go wrong: This is an early phase 2 trial with only 240 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The study measures biological markers, not actual prevention of dementia, and the drug may not show a meaningful effect.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Cognitive Dysfunction Pick disease Alzheimer disease prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALZHEIMER DISEASE (AD)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre StoP-Alzheimer (Douglas Mental Health University Institute - Research Centre)
RECRUITING

Montreal, Quebec, H4H 1R3, Canada

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