Daytime alertness, sleep problems, and Alzheimer’s-related brain changes
The Role of Impaired Neurobehavioral Alertness in Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
This project looks at whether poor daytime alertness and sleep problems link to Alzheimer’s-related biological signs in adults 21 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11300253 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be represented by long-term data from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort, including past sleep studies, daytime alertness tests, cognitive tests, and stored blood samples. Researchers will measure Alzheimer’s biomarkers in blood and compare them to decades of sleep and alertness data, including diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea. The team will examine whether people with chronically low daytime alertness or OSA show more Alzheimer’s-related biological changes and faster cognitive decline. This work uses existing cohort data and samples rather than testing a new drug or treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older, especially those with excessive daytime sleepiness, diagnosed or suspected obstructive sleep apnea, or concerns about Alzheimer’s risk, are the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People under 21, individuals without sleep problems, or those already living with advanced Alzheimer’s disease are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify people at higher Alzheimer’s risk earlier using routine sleep measures and simple blood biomarkers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller studies have linked daytime sleepiness and OSA to Alzheimer’s markers, but combining decades of sleep data with blood biomarkers in a large cohort is a newer and more powerful approach.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plante, David T — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Plante, David T
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 below.