Can a sleep drug boost brain power in seniors?
NCT ID NCT05908526
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested suvorexant (Belsomra), an FDA-approved sleep medication, in 40 older adults with insomnia. Participants took the drug or a placebo for two weeks while wearing a motion tracker and completing smartphone surveys about their sleep, mood, and thinking. The goal was to see if suvorexant improves not just nighttime sleep but also daytime symptoms like fatigue and concentration.
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 treatment that improves both sleep and daytime functioning in older adults with insomnia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small Phase 2 trial with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Suvorexant can cause side effects like daytime drowsiness or dizziness.
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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Maryland, Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
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