Sleep drug tested to stop Alzheimer's before it starts

NCT ID NCT04629547

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 01, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tests whether taking the sleep medication suvorexant (Belsomra) nightly for two years can slow the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will enroll 200 healthy adults aged 65 and older with no signs of dementia. The goal is to see if improving sleep can reduce Alzheimer's risk.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

suvorexant (Belsomra)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a way to delay or prevent Alzheimer's by improving sleep.

What could go wrong

This is an early phase 2 trial with only 200 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The drug may not slow brain changes, and sleep aids can have side effects like drowsiness.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

insomnia Plaque, Amyloid sleep disorder Alzheimer disease prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    RECRUITING

    St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••