Investigating sleep patterns to understand aging and Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Sleep Spindle Dynamics as a Clinical Biomarker of Aging, Alzheimer's Disease, and Trisomy 21
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10733629 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain wave patterns during sleep, called sleep spindles, can help us understand aging and conditions like Alzheimer's and Down syndrome, with the goal of creating better ways to diagnose these issues for people of all ages.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,576,936 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1AG079917-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10733629 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals of varying ages who may be experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, trisomy 21, or other neurodegenerative disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any neurological or psychiatric conditions related to sleep dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how sleep spindles, which are specific brain wave patterns during sleep, can serve as biomarkers for aging and conditions like Alzheimer's disease and trisomy 21. By analyzing sleep data from a diverse group of participants across various ages, the study aims to identify the variability in these sleep patterns and their relationship to different neurological disorders. The researchers will develop a mathematical framework to better characterize these sleep spindle dynamics, which could lead to more precise diagnostic tools for these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic methods for Alzheimer's disease and related conditions, enhancing early detection and treatment options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using sleep biomarkers for diagnosing neurological conditions, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Prerau, Michael J — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Prerau, Michael J
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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.