Investigating how alertness affects cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: The Role of Impaired Neurobehavioral Alertness in Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11045068 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems with alertness and sleep, like feeling really sleepy during the day or having sleep apnea, might be linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, and it's for people who want to learn more about their sleep and brain health to help find ways to prevent cognitive decline.
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 start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $726,189 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079352-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045068 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 65 and older who experience sleep disturbances or excessive daytime sleepiness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without sleep disturbances may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the connection between impaired alertness and the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It examines how sleep disturbances, particularly excessive daytime sleepiness and obstructive sleep apnea, may increase the risk of developing AD pathology. By utilizing data from the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study, which includes decades of sleep and cognitive data, the research aims to identify individuals at risk for AD and explore potential preventative strategies. Patients will be assessed for their alertness levels and sleep patterns to better understand their relationship with cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification of individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, enabling timely interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Plante, David T — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Plante, David T
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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.