Sleep Aid Ambien Disrupts Brain’s ‘Cleaning Cycle’
A common prescription sleep aid, Ambien (zolpidem), can disrupt the brain’s glymphatic system, a “wash and rinse” process that clears away harmful protein waste linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Research by University of Rochester Medical Center neuroscientist Maiken Nedergaard found that Ambien blocks the release of neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which normally powers the glymphatic system. … Read more