Investigating how sleep apnea affects cognition and Alzheimer's disease in World Trade Center responders

Role of Sleep Apnea in Cognition and Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers in WTC Responders

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10842220

This study is looking at how sleep apnea might affect thinking and memory in people who were exposed to World Trade Center dust, to see if improving sleep could help lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-10842220 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the connection between sleep apnea and cognitive decline in individuals exposed to World Trade Center dust. It focuses on how disturbances in sleep may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease by examining biomarkers like amyloid beta and tau. The study aims to determine if sleep apnea is a modifiable risk factor for Alzheimer's and if sleep disturbances can serve as early indicators of the disease. Participants will undergo assessments to evaluate their sleep patterns and cognitive function over time.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are World Trade Center responders who are experiencing sleep apnea and may be at risk for cognitive decline.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have sleep apnea or are not World Trade Center responders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of cognitive decline in individuals with sleep apnea, potentially delaying or preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated a link between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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.