Investigating how sleep patterns and genes relate to Alzheimer's risk in shift workers
Official title: Sleep depth and circadian genes as potential markers to reflect symptom variation and early risk of Alzheimer's disease in shift workers
Funded at University of Nevada Las Vegas · NIH-11040304 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how working night shifts affects sleep quality and brain health, especially in relation to Alzheimer's disease, by checking the sleep patterns and cognitive abilities of people who work these hours.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nevada Las Vegas NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Vegas, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,166 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG081628-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11040304 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who have experience working night shifts.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of shift work or are under the age of 65 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the relationship between sleep depth, circadian genes, and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in individuals who work night shifts. It aims to identify biomarkers that can indicate how well shift workers adapt to their schedules and how this affects their cognitive health. The study will involve assessing sleep quality, cognitive function, and biological markers in a cohort of active and retired shift workers. By examining these factors, the research seeks to provide insights into the early signs of Alzheimer's disease and how shift work may influence these risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification of individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, allowing for timely interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a link between circadian disruption and cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim, Jinyoung — University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Study coordinator: Kim, Jinyoung
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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.