Brain circuits behind sundowning and day–night rhythm problems in Alzheimer’s
Official title: The circuit basis of sundowning-related circadian dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias
Funded at University of Wyoming · NIH-11177628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how changes in brain clock pathways may cause sundowning and disrupted daily rhythms in people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wyoming NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Laramie, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $351,841 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS135592-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177628 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias who experience late-afternoon or evening agitation, aggression, or wandering (sundowning) would be the most relevant group for future therapies guided by this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without Alzheimer’s or without time-of-day agitation and sleep–wake problems are unlikely to gain direct benefits from this project in the near term.
What this research studies
The team uses mouse models that mimic Alzheimer’s to map the brain clock (the SCN) and its connections to regions controlling body temperature, activity, and aggression. They will alter specific circuit nodes to see whether disrupting them produces late-afternoon or evening agitation and wandering similar to sundowning. By linking circuit changes to time-of-day patterns of behavior, the researchers aim to identify biological targets that could guide new treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify brain targets for treatments that reduce sundowning and improve sleep–wake patterns in people with Alzheimer’s.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal studies show the SCN and downstream pathways influence activity and aggression rhythms, but applying these findings directly to sundowning is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wyoming
Laramie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Todd, William David — University of Wyoming
- Study coordinator: Todd, William David
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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.