Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep. It can lead to daytime sleepiness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and overall impaired functioning.

The current treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotic medications, and melatonin agonists, among others. These therapies have shown varying levels of efficacy and are associated with many challenges. The main challenge associated with the current pharmacotherapeutics is that they cause drowsiness once the patient wakes up as the medications take time to completely wear off. Decreasing the dosage can reduce drowsiness but that often results in the patient waking up earlier than what is desirable.

The primary emerging treatment option we are testing is a class of drug called orexin receptor antagonists which block the action orexin, a neurotransmitter involved in wakefulness and sleep regulation. Orexin receptor antagonists and other emerging therapies for insomnia are promising avenues of research aimed at expanding treatment options, improving outcomes, and addressing the underlying mechanisms that contribute to sleep disturbances. As research progresses, these advancements have the potential to offer more personalized and effective treatments for individuals struggling with insomnia.