Investigating how alertness affects cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease

The Role of Impaired Neurobehavioral Alertness in Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11045068

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-11045068 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 65 and older who experience sleep disturbances or excessive daytime sleepiness.

Not a fit: Patients under the age of 65 or those without sleep disturbances may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.