How sleep and body temperature affect Alzheimer's risk in adults with Down syndrome
Sleep and Temperature Disturbance as risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome: a Longitudinal Study
Researchers will follow adults with Down syndrome over several years to learn whether sleep problems and lower body temperature are linked to earlier Alzheimer's changes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11508145 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a multi-year follow-up where adults with Down syndrome have their sleep, body temperature, brain scans, and Alzheimer's biomarkers measured over time. The team will measure sleep apnea and circadian temperature patterns using sleep studies and wearable monitors, and collect imaging and fluid biomarkers (amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration) to track early Alzheimer's changes. They will compare people with different sleep and temperature profiles to see which patterns appear before memory loss or dementia. The goal is to find treatable sleep or temperature problems that could delay or prevent Alzheimer's symptoms in people with Down syndrome.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with Down syndrome aged 21 and older, especially those who do not yet have dementia and can attend sleep testing and biomarker visits, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with advanced Alzheimer's dementia or who cannot tolerate sleep studies, scans, or sample collection may not benefit directly from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to treatable sleep and temperature issues that help delay or lower the risk of Alzheimer's in adults with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have performed: Studies in the general population and preliminary data in Down syndrome link sleep and temperature disturbances to Alzheimer's biomarkers, but long-term, focused studies in adults with Down syndrome are limited.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York University School of Medicine — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blessing, Esther Marian — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Blessing, Esther Marian
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.