The effects of sleep disruption on Alzheimer's disease progression
Sleep Fragmentation and Alzheimer’s Disease
This study is looking at how broken sleep might make Alzheimer's disease worse by causing harmful proteins to build up in the brain, and it hopes to find ways to help improve sleep for people with Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10827922 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how chronic sleep fragmentation impacts the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It focuses on understanding the relationship between disrupted sleep patterns and the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain, which may worsen cognitive decline. By studying animal models, the research aims to determine if sleep fragmentation contributes to neuroinflammation and amyloid-β accumulation, potentially leading to earlier onset of Alzheimer's symptoms. The findings could inform new therapeutic strategies to improve sleep quality in patients with AD.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older adults experiencing sleep disturbances and those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced Alzheimer's disease or those without sleep issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options that enhance sleep quality and potentially slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been correlative studies linking sleep disruption to Alzheimer's disease, this research is novel in experimentally investigating the specific effects of sleep fragmentation on disease progression.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murphy, Michael Paul — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Murphy, Michael Paul
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.