NIH-funded research R01 grant

Understanding how sleep apnea may raise Alzheimer’s risk in older Black adults

Official title: Using a Health Disparity Research Framework to examine mechanisms linking Obstructive Sleep Apnea with higher Alzheimer’s disease risk in older Blacks/African-Americans

Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11322634 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project looks at why sleep apnea might help explain why older Black people have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

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Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNew York University School of Medicine
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startJune 1, 2023
Project endApril 30, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$1,750,656
NIH project number5R01AG082278-04
Project IDNIH-11322634 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Older Black adults with known or suspected obstructive sleep apnea, plus individuals and communities affected by vascular and socioeconomic risk factors.

Less likely to help

Individuals without sleep apnea or with non-Black ancestry may have limited direct benefit from this specific study.

What this research studies

The study uses a disparities framework to explore how sleep apnea affects Alzheimer’s-related brain changes in Black older adults. It will compare how OSA influences brain pathology and inflammation, and whether cognitive decline links to these factors. The team will also examine how education, income, and neighborhood factors may explain differences in outcomes between Black and White participants. By identifying potential mechanisms like sleep patterns and inflammation, the research aims to guide more personalized care in this population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to better risk identification and tailored interventions to reduce Alzheimer’s risk in older Black adults.

How similar studies have gone: Prior research has linked sleep disorders, inflammation, and AD pathology, but this project aims to clarify race-specific mechanisms and social determinants.

Where this research is happening

  • New York University School of Medicine
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bubu, Omonigho a Michael — New York University School of Medicine
  • Study coordinator: Bubu, Omonigho a Michael

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.