Investigating sleep and fluid movements to develop a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Sleep, breathing, hemodynamic oscillations, and cerebrospinal fluid movements - Building toward a novel treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease

NIH-funded research Purdue University · NIH-10910177

This study is looking at how sleep and breathing affect the flow of fluid in the brain, especially for people with Alzheimer's, to see if improving sleep could help clear out harmful substances linked to the disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPurdue University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (West Lafayette, United States)
Project IDNIH-10910177 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the relationship between sleep, breathing, and the movement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain, particularly in the context of Alzheimer's disease. It aims to understand how sleep deficiencies may affect the clearance of neuro-metabolic waste, such as beta-amyloid and tau proteins, which are linked to Alzheimer's progression. By quantifying CSF movement during sleep and its connection to other biological signals like hemodynamic oscillations and breathing, the study seeks to identify potential interventions that could slow down the disease's progression. Patients may be monitored for their sleep patterns and CSF dynamics to gather valuable data.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or exhibit symptoms of cognitive decline.

Not a fit: Patients with other forms of dementia unrelated to Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel treatment strategies that slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by improving waste clearance in the brain.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of linking CSF movement to sleep and Alzheimer's is relatively novel, there is emerging evidence suggesting that improving sleep quality may have beneficial effects on cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.

Where this research is happening

West Lafayette, 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.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
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.