Sleep apnea treatment and cognitive health in older adults
Official title: Sleep apnea treatment and risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimers disease
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11382825 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether treating sleep apnea with CPAP helps protect against cognitive decline and dementia in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $612,626 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG079391-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382825 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults with obstructive sleep apnea, especially those at higher dementia risk (older age, minority race/ethnicity, cardiovascular risk).
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not experience cognitive benefit if CPAP is not used consistently or if other risk factors dominate cognitive health.
What this research studies
If you are an older adult and have sleep apnea, this study follows two large national groups to see if using CPAP treatment is linked to slower thinking decline or lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias over up to 14 years. Researchers will compare cognitive performance over time between those who adhere to CPAP and those who do not, while considering factors like age, race, and cardiovascular health. The goal is to identify which groups benefit most and how treatment could be optimized for real-world use. The study uses existing data from large, representative U.S. cohorts to explore these associations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform personalized sleep apnea treatment strategies to reduce dementia risk in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests a link between sleep apnea treatment and cognition, but results vary and this study aims to clarify impact in diverse populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaufmann, Christopher Norfleet — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Kaufmann, Christopher Norfleet
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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.