How daily movement and sleep patterns may protect thinking and lower dementia risk
The role of 24-hour activity cycles in preserving cognitive function and preventing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
This project looks at whether balancing exercise, light movement, sitting time, and sleep across the whole day helps protect thinking skills and reduce Alzheimer's risk in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212309 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would wear a small activity tracker that records movement and sleep around the clock so researchers can measure sitting, light activity, exercise, and sleep. They will link those measurements to thinking and memory tests and health information from the large REGARDS study to find patterns tied to better brain health. The project includes adults across age groups and pays special attention to African American participants to understand racial and geographic differences. Researchers follow people over time to see which daily patterns come before changes in thinking or dementia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (21+) who can wear an activity monitor, complete brief cognitive testing, and are part of or eligible for the REGARDS cohort, including African American participants.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia, those unable to wear or use an activity monitor, or those who cannot consent or complete follow-up are unlikely to benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to simple daily activity and sleep patterns people can adopt to help preserve thinking and lower dementia risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show physical activity helps brain health, but looking at the combined 24-hour pattern of sleep, sitting, light activity, and exercise is a newer approach with limited prior results.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Diaz, Keith M — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Diaz, Keith M
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.