{
  "id": 4005903,
  "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",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-28T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/08/28/tired-fatigue-drugs-orexin/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists are optimistic about a new drug that could potentially end fatigue, called Oveporexton. This drug, approved for use in the US, is designed to treat narcolepsy but researchers believe it could also help with exhaustion and improve concentration. Dr Michael Colwell, a researcher at the University of Oxford, describes orexin, a neurotransmitter in the brain, as a \"major stone left unturned in brain chemistry.\" Orexin plays a crucial role in keeping the brain awake and alert, alongside histamine. Drugs that mimic orexin, known as orexin agonists, are moving closer to market. However, some narcoleptics are unable to produce orexin, which leads to sudden, temporary paralysis during wakefulness. Suvorexant, the first drug that works against the action of orexin, was approved by the FDA 12 years ago. Studies suggest orexin antagonists are as effective as common insomnia medication and have a long-term efficacy that some other drugs lack. These drugs do not cause withdrawal symptoms or rebound insomnia even after long-term use. The hope is that by treating the underlying problem rather than just the symptoms, the system controlling sleep and wakefulness will function properly. The emergence of these drugs targeting the orexin system may also have applications in treating other conditions, such as depression or ADHD. Research on rats shows that orexin activity increases motivation, as animals stimulated with orexin make greater effort to secure food. Suppressing orexin activity decreases motivation. The findings suggest that targeting orexin could open up new ways to treat people who struggle with goal-oriented behavior. Given that the sleep cycle is often linked to depression, targeting orexin may also help with low mood. However, while there is potential for using orexins to treat sleep disorders, it remains to be seen if they will also be important for dealing with other psychological conditions.",
  "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 Business",
        "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",
        "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."
}