NIH-funded research R01 grant

Post-TBI Sleep Problems and Alzheimer’s/CTE Brain Changes

Official title: Defining the Role of Post-TBI Sleep Disruption in the Development of CTE and Alzheimer's Disease-Related Neuropathology

Funded at Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res · NIH-11397349 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant studies whether sleep disruption after a traumatic brain injury increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related brain changes later on, with a focus on people who’ve had mTBI.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSeattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project startSeptember 20, 2022
Project endAugust 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$1,273,207
NIH project number5R01NS128966-03
Project IDNIH-11397349 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with a history of mild traumatic brain injury, especially those long after the injury and experiencing sleep disturbances.

Less likely to help

People without a history of traumatic brain injury or sleep problems may not directly benefit from this research.

What this research studies

If you’ve had a concussion, this research looks at how ongoing sleep problems might influence the brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The team will look at biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid, special MRI markers, and sleep patterns to understand the connection. By following patients with a history of mTBI, researchers hope to identify whether improving sleep could reduce later brain changes associated with these conditions. The study combines clinical observations with advanced imaging and biomarker analysis to map the sleep-brain pathology pathway. Results could guide future interventions to protect brain health after injury.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to sleep-focused strategies to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s-related pathology after brain injury.

How similar studies have gone: Prior data suggest a link between sleep disturbance and Alzheimer’s-related biomarkers, but this project tests the mechanism in post-TBI populations.

Where this research is happening

  • Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
    Seattle, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Peskind, Elaine R. — Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
  • Study coordinator: Peskind, Elaine R.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.