Sleep drug may shield elderly brains from Post-Surgery confusion

NCT ID NCT07695285

Not yet recruiting Disease control Sponsor: Beijing Tiantan Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tests whether lemborexant, a sleep medication, can reduce postoperative delirium—a state of confusion and disorientation—in patients aged 60 and older after elective surgery under general anesthesia. Participants receive either lemborexant or a placebo before and after surgery. The main goal is to see if the drug lowers the rate of delirium within five days after the operation, with a secondary focus on sleep quality.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Lemborexant
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a way to prevent postoperative delirium in elderly patients, potentially improving recovery and reducing hospital stays.
What could go wrong: This is a Phase 2 trial, so results are still uncertain. The drug may not reduce delirium, and side effects like daytime sleepiness or dizziness could occur.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Emergence Delirium

As listed by the trial registrant

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

POSTOPERATIVE DELIRIUM

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.