Investigating the link between sleep quality and brain health in World Trade Center responders
Official title: Sleep stability, emotional memory and risk for neurodegeneration in World Trade Center Responders
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10903702 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep problems might affect the brain health of World Trade Center responders, and it aims to see if better sleep can help prevent issues like memory loss or cognitive decline.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $249,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21OH012623-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903702 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are World Trade Center responders experiencing poor sleep quality or sleep disorders such as insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of exposure to the World Trade Center site or do not experience sleep-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on World Trade Center (WTC) responders who report poor sleep quality and are at risk for cognitive impairments and neurodegeneration. The study aims to understand how sleep stability, measured through advanced techniques like electroencephalography (EEG) and cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC), relates to these health issues. By assessing various aspects of sleep, including initiation and maintenance, the research seeks to determine if poor sleep contributes to neurodegeneration in this population. Participants will provide subjective assessments of their sleep quality, which will be complemented by objective measurements.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions for sleep-related issues that may help protect brain health in WTC responders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown associations between sleep quality and cognitive health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mullins, Anna — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Mullins, Anna
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.