A new study has found that a commonly prescribed sleep aid may disrupt the brain’s waste removal system during deep sleep. Researchers used mouse models to observe synchronized oscillations of neurotransmitters and blood flow, which power the glymphatic system – a unique cleaning system in the brain.
The glymphatic system is only active during deep sleep, where it removes waste products associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. The study discovered that the sedative zolpidem suppresses these oscillations, interrupting the glymphatic system’s function.
Lead author Natalie Hauglund explained that “sleep aids may provide a short-cut to sleep, but our study shows that the sleep you get with sleep medication may lack the beneficial effects of natural, restorative sleep.”
The study highlights the importance of studying factors that contribute to cognitive decline, particularly in older adults. Dementia risk has doubled for Americans over 55, and researchers emphasize that sleep aids should be used only as a last resort.
Neurologist Clifford Segil noted that “clinical neurologists like me are not concerned that using zolpidem appropriately will cause dementia.” However, he emphasized the need for more research on the impact of sleep aids on human glymphatic flow.
The study’s findings have sparked interest among sleep experts, who underscore the importance of continued research into the relationship between brain health, sleep quality, and overall well-being.
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/common-sleep-medication-may-prevent-brain-from-clearing-waste