Timed bright-light therapy to improve sleep and slow memory decline in older adults
Application of precision medicine to phototherapy: a stepped care approach to consolidate sleep and slow cognitive decline in older adults
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · NIH-11470740
Afternoon bright-light therapy guided by AI aims to strengthen sleep patterns and slow thinking problems in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11470740 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would wear or use light therapy in the afternoon designed to boost the strength of your daily circadian rhythm, combined with sleep monitoring using devices like actimeters. Researchers will use large datasets and modern machine learning to find patterns that link fragmented sleep to memory decline and to personalize the light therapy. The project includes a clinical intervention where people with mild cognitive impairment will receive the phototherapy and undergo regular neurocognitive testing to track changes. The team plans a stepped-care approach, meaning treatment intensity can be adjusted based on individual response.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults with mild cognitive impairment or noticeable sleep-wake fragmentation who can attend study visits and use wearable sleep monitors.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia or without sleep fragmentation are unlikely to benefit from this specific light-based sleep intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve sleep consolidation and slow cognitive decline in people with mild cognitive impairment, potentially delaying progression toward dementia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials using morning light showed mixed results, and afternoon-targeted phototherapy is a newer, model-supported approach that still needs clinical proof.
Where this research is happening
Boulder, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO — Boulder, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LOK, RENSKE — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- Study coordinator: LOK, RENSKE
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.