Sleep headband EEG to detect memory-related brain changes in aging and Alzheimer's
Quantifying the Integrity of Sleep-Dependent Memory Processing in Pathological Aging and Alzheimer's Disease: Toward Inexpensive Electroencephalographic Wearable Applications
This project checks whether an inexpensive sleep headband can pick up brain signals tied to memory and early Alzheimer's in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11242011 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would wear a simple single-channel EEG headband at home while you sleep so researchers can record brain activity linked to memory processing. The team will use advanced signal processing and machine learning to identify sleep oscillations that relate to aging, cognition, and Alzheimer's biomarkers. They will compare headband recordings with cognitive tests and known biological markers to build a reliable digital sign of brain health. The goal is to create an affordable, scalable home monitoring tool for detecting and tracking early neurodegenerative changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults at risk for Alzheimer's or with early cognitive changes who can sleep at home while wearing a wearable EEG headband and participate in related testing.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia who cannot tolerate or comply with wearing the device, or those with conditions unrelated to sleep-dependent memory processes, may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide low-cost, at-home monitoring to spot early memory-related brain changes and help track progression before symptoms are obvious.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary work by the team and other early studies show promising machine-learning predictions linking sleep EEG features to aging and Alzheimer's biomarkers, but broad clinical validation is still pending.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcconnell, Brice V — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Mcconnell, Brice V
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 below.