A recent study has found that lemborexant, a common #Sleep aid, not only improves sleep patterns but also protects against neurodegeneration in mice models of Alzheimer’s disease (as opposed to zolpidem that increases Alzheimer's risk). The research indicates that lemborexant prevents the harmful buildup of tau protein in the brain, which is associated with inflammation and neuronal death in Alzheimer’s and related disorders .   The study demonstrated that mice treated with lemborexant exhibited a 30–40% larger hippocampal volume—a brain region critical for memory—compared to untreated mice. This suggests that the drug not only enhances sleep but also offers neuroprotective benefits by reducing tau accumulation. Interestingly, these effects were observed only in male mice, prompting further investigation into sex-specific responses.  Lemborexant functions as an orexin receptor antagonist, targeting proteins that regulate sleep-wake cycles. Unlike other sleep medications such as zolpidem, which did not show similar neuroprotective effects, lemborexant’s mechanism appears crucial in mitigating tau-related brain damage.  These findings open avenues for potential therapeutic strategies combining sleep regulation with treatments targeting tau pathology in neurodegenerative diseases. #Brain Journey Network medicalxpress.com/news/20..