Investigating how sleep issues affect emotional problems in Alzheimer's patients
Official title: Sleep Disturbance and Emotion Regulation Brain Dysfunction as Mechanisms of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Alzheimer's Dementia
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11180635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep problems affect feelings and behavior in people with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease, and it wants to find out if helping you sleep better can improve your mood and reduce anxiety or agitation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $847,000 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH120776-05S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease who experience sleep disturbances and emotional distress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe Alzheimer's disease or those without sleep disturbances may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how sleep disturbances contribute to emotional and behavioral symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease. By examining the connections between sleep quality, brain function, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, the study aims to determine if improving sleep can lead to better emotional regulation. Participants will be involved in a randomized controlled trial where they will receive either Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia or a control treatment. The goal is to see if changes in sleep can positively impact emotional health and reduce symptoms like anxiety and agitation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that alleviate emotional distress and improve quality of life for Alzheimer's patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using cognitive behavioral therapy to improve sleep and emotional regulation in various populations, suggesting potential success in this approach for Alzheimer's patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldstein-Piekarski, Andrea — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Goldstein-Piekarski, Andrea
Related research
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Investigating how sleep problems affect emotional regulation in Alzheimer's patients
This study is looking at how sleep problems might affect feelings of anxiety and restlessness in people with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's Disease, and it will help us see if improving sleep through therapy can make these feelings better.
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Investigating how sleep issues affect emotional regulation in Alzheimer's patients
This study is looking at how sleep problems might affect feelings of anxiety and depression in people with mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease, and it will see if better sleep can help improve these feelings by offering therapy for insomnia to some participants.
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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.