Simvastatin induces dose-dependent sleep-wake disruption in Drosophila melanogaster, with 0.5 mM causing insomnia-like phenotype and 1.0 mM increasing arousal
Simvastatin at 0.5 mM produced an insomnia-like phenotype with reduced total sleep and prolonged sleep latency, while 1.0 mM increased wake activity and delayed sleep onset without reducing total sleep. No effect was observed at 0.05 mM.
Evidence Score
Study Evidence
Study 1. Simvastatin modulates sleep-wake behavior and locomotor activity in a dose-dependent manner in Drosophila.
observationalAlsehli AM · Frontiers in pharmacology (2026)
Result:
Mechanism Graph
Limitations
- ⚠Study conducted in Drosophila, not directly translatable to humans
- ⚠Only acute effects reported; chronic exposure not assessed
- ⚠Mechanistic pathways underlying dose-dependent effects not elucidated
Frequently Asked Questions
Does simvastatin affect sleep in all doses?▼
No, effects were dose-dependent: 0.05 mM had no effect, 0.5 mM caused insomnia-like symptoms, and 1.0 mM increased arousal without reducing total sleep.
What is the relevance of Drosophila for studying statin effects on sleep?▼
Sleep regulation in Drosophila is conserved with mammals, making it a useful model for investigating drug-induced behavioral changes, though further validation is needed.
Could simvastatin cause insomnia in humans based on this study?▼
This study suggests potential sleep-disrupting effects at certain doses in flies, but human studies are required to confirm any clinical relevance.
What concentrations of simvastatin were tested?▼
Concentrations of 0.00 (control), 0.05, 0.5, and 1.0 mM were tested in the fly food.
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References
- 1.Alsehli AM. "Simvastatin modulates sleep-wake behavior and locomotor activity in a dose-dependent manner in Drosophila.." Frontiers in pharmacology, 2026. PMID: 42460007 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1815042