A new method to measure the impact of sleep apnea on health
Official title: A novel tool to quantify hypoxia burden from clinical sleep studies
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11004993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to better understand how obstructive sleep apnea affects heart health and brain function by creating a new way to measure its severity, which could help improve care for people with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $70,550 |
| NIH project number | 5R03EB035333-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11004993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are middle-aged individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea or those with mild symptoms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the understanding of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its health impacts, particularly on cardiovascular health and cognitive function. It aims to develop a novel mathematical model that quantifies the severity of OSA by analyzing existing sleep study data more accurately than current methods. By addressing the limitations of traditional indicators like the apnea-hypopnea index and pulse oximetry, this project seeks to provide a clearer picture of how OSA affects patients at the tissue level. This could lead to better assessments and management of OSA-related health issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that innovative modeling approaches can enhance the understanding of sleep apnea and its effects, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grosberg, Anna — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Grosberg, Anna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using MRI to measure brain oxygen levels as an early sign of small vessel disease in the brain
This study is looking at how measuring oxygen levels in the brain with MRI can help spot early signs of small vessel disease, which is linked to memory problems and dementia, especially Alzheimer's, so if you're at risk due to age or high blood pressure, you might be able to participate in MRI scans to learn more about
-
HIF-driven ways to repair damaged lungs in IPF
A doctor-researcher is testing how low-oxygen signals (HIF) could help restore healthy lung tissue in people with IPF.
-
Neonatal Brain Injury Protection with New Purine Compounds
A new medication approach using purine derivatives is being studied to protect newborn brains from injury caused by limited blood flow and oxygen during birth.
-
Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) helps brain BH4 levels after injury
This grant tests whether brain AKR enzymes can boost BH4 levels and support better brain function after hypoxia-ischemia-related injury.
-
Dual-hypoxia and proliferation PET biomarker for recurrent glioblastoma
A study using a special PET imaging approach to map oxygen-poor areas and cell growth in recurrent brain tumors to guide treatment decisions.
-
How low oxygen and genetic tweaks may repair mitochondrial problems linked to Alzheimer’s and other disorders
A Johns Hopkins-style? (Note: institution specified later) patient-facing overview: researchers will study tiny cell power stations in mitochondria to see if low-oxygen conditions and specific genetic changes can fix problems associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.