{
  "id": 4005822,
  "title": "Tired out? Scientists hope new brain drugs could bring end to fatigue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/tired-out-scientists-hope-new-brain-drugs-could-bring-end-to-fatigue",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-28T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/28/tired-fatigue-drugs-orexin/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists are hopeful that a novel drug called Oveporexton could potentially be the key to addressing fatigue. This Japanese-made pharmaceutical mimics orexins, neurotransmitters that regulate wakefulness and alertness in the brain. The drug has been approved for use in the US to treat narcolepsy, but researchers are also investigating its potential to alleviate exhaustion and enhance concentration. Dr Michael Colwell, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, considers orexin \"one of the last major stones left unturned in brain chemistry.\" Orexin's central role in brain function is being revealed by recent methodological advancements. Other drugs that mimic orexin, known as orexin agonists, are also nearing market approval. However, while orexin agonists are new to the market, the first drug that works against orexin, suvorexant, was approved by the FDA 12 years ago. Experts believe orexin antagonists, like Oveporexton, may be as effective as commonly used insomnia medications, with potential long-term efficacy that some other drugs lack. Importantly, orexin antagonists do not cause withdrawal symptoms or rebound insomnia, even with long-term use. The hope is that these orexin-targeting drugs will effectively regulate sleep and wakefulness, treating the underlying problem instead of just the symptoms. As these drugs emerge, there is also potential for treating other conditions, such as depression or ADHD. Studies in rats show that orexin activity is crucial for motivation, with stimulated orexin neurons leading to greater effort to obtain food and suppressed orexin activity decreasing motivation. Additionally, orexin activity surges when animals await a food reward, suggesting its importance in goal-oriented behavior. Given the link between sleep and depression, targeting orexin may be a viable approach to managing low mood. However, while the potential for orexin-targeting drugs in treating depression is promising, Dr Dipesh Chaudhury, an associate professor at New York University Abu Dhabi, cautions that it is too early to determine their significance in mood regulation.",
  "summary": "Scientists hope a new drug could be a silver bullet when it comes to tackling tiredness. The Japanese drug Oveporexton, which mimics the role of orexins, the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate staying awake and being alert, has been approved for use in the US . While the drug is designed specifically to treat narcolepsy, researchers hope it can also be used to tackle exhaustion and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Tired out? Scientists hope new brain drugs could bring end to fatigue",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/tired-out-scientists-hope-new-brain-drugs-could-bring-end-to-fatigue-4005903",
        "published": "2026-08-28T18:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}