Investigating how sleep apnea treatment affects cognitive decline and Alzheimer's risk
Official title: Sleep apnea treatment and risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimers disease
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10893647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how treating sleep apnea might help older adults lower their chances of experiencing memory problems or Alzheimer's disease, and it aims to find out which groups of people benefit the most from treatments like CPAP.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $612,626 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079391-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include older adults aged 65 and above, particularly those diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and at risk for cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or do not have obstructive sleep apnea may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease in older adults. By utilizing data from two large national studies, the Health and Retirement Study and the National Health and Aging Trends Study, the project aims to follow participants over a period of up to 14 years. The focus is on understanding how effective treatments like Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) can potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline, especially in populations at higher risk for Alzheimer's. The study will also assess whether certain groups benefit more from treatment, helping to tailor interventions for those who need them most.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for sleep apnea that may help prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that treating sleep apnea can have positive effects on cognitive function, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaufmann, Christopher Norfleet — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Kaufmann, Christopher Norfleet
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Sleep apnea treatment and cognitive health in older adults
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NGF metabolism as an early biomarker for cognitive decline in familial Alzheimer's disease
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NGF Metabolic Dysfunction as a Marker of Cognitive Decline in Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease
This project looks at nerve growth factor pathways in people with a genetic form of Alzheimer's to see if blood and spinal fluid markers can identify early brain changes before symptoms appear.
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.