Genes linking sleep loss and Alzheimer's dementia
Systems Genetics Analysis of Alzheimer's Disease-Related Sleep Loss and the Transition to Dementia
This project looks for genes that cause sleep problems tied to Alzheimer's and tests whether changing them can delay memory loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11327217 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use advanced mouse models that mimic human Alzheimer's to find genes and molecular networks tied to sleep loss. They will compare those mouse findings with data from human patient cohorts and postmortem brain samples to see which genes matter in people. The team will then manipulate the most promising genes or modifiable factors in mice to see if improving sleep delays memory problems. The goal is to reveal biological pathways and potential treatment targets that could later be tested in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, or Alzheimer's-related sleep disturbances who are enrolled in research cohorts or willing to donate data or samples.
Not a fit: People without Alzheimer's pathology or sleep problems, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment, are unlikely to get direct benefit from this preclinical and translational research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new targets to improve sleep and slow memory decline in people at risk for Alzheimer's.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human studies link sleep disturbances to Alzheimer's and animal work suggests changing sleep can affect disease markers, but translating specific genetic targets into human treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaczorowski, Catherine Cook — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Kaczorowski, Catherine Cook
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.