Insomnia, Depression, and Sleep Medications in Mild Cognitive Impairment Leading to Dementia
Official title: Insomnia, Depression, and Medication Effects on Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia Progression: A Nationwide TriNetX Cohort Study
Funded at Saint Louis University · NIH-11438046 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how sleep problems and depression, along with the medicines used to treat them, may affect the progression from mild cognitive issues to dementia in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Saint Louis University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $423,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AG104024-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438046 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older with mild cognitive impairment who are being treated for insomnia or major depressive disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without MCI or those not on insomnia or antidepressant therapies may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
The study uses a nationwide patient cohort to explore how insomnia and major depressive disorder, separately and together, influence the transition from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s-related dementias. It will examine real-world prescribing patterns of insomnia and depression medications and how these might change the risk of progression. By leveraging electronic health records from a large network, researchers aim to identify modifiable factors that could delay dementia onset. The findings could help clinicians tailor treatment plans for older adults with MCI to potentially slow decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform safer, more effective treatment choices for insomnia and depression to help delay dementia progression in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has linked insomnia and depression to dementia risk, but their combined impact on MCI progression is less well understood.
Where this research is happening
-
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahn, Sangnam — Saint Louis University
- Study coordinator: Ahn, Sangnam
Related research
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This project looks at how cochlear implants and hearing aids help older adults with age-related hearing loss and memory concerns in their daily lives.
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Smartphone reminders to help future memory in mild cognitive impairment and early dementia
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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.