Understanding how sleep problems in older couples relate to thinking skills and Alzheimer's risk
Official title: For Better or For Worse: Examining the Longitudinal Interplay Between Insomnia Symptoms and Cognitive Function in Older Couples-A Pathway to Understanding Alzheimer's Disease Progression
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11333382 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how insomnia in older couples may influence memory and thinking over time, with the goal of better understanding Alzheimer’s disease progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $540,402 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG099824-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333382 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (65+) and their spouses who participate in the Health and Retirement Study and consent to long-term follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not experiencing sleep issues or not willing to participate in long-term couple-based assessments may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
The study follows 2,812 older couples over eight years using data from a large national study to see if one partner’s sleep issues affect the other’s sleep and cognitive function. Researchers will analyze multiple waves of data to identify patterns and potential causal links between insomnia and changes in thinking abilities. The goal is to reveal how sleep in a relationship context might contribute to progression toward Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Findings could inform interventions that improve sleep for both partners and potentially slow cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to sleep-related strategies that help preserve memory and slow the progression of dementia in older adults and their partners.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows links between sleep and cognitive health, but this project adds a long-term, couple-based perspective which is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tracy, Eunjin — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Tracy, Eunjin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how cognitive behavioral therapy can improve sleep and cognitive function in older adults with insomnia to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
This study is looking at how a special therapy for sleep problems can help older adults think better and possibly slow down memory loss related to Alzheimer's disease.
-
Understanding how daily activity patterns affect memory and dementia risk
This project looks at how a full day of activities – including sleep, light and moderate exercise, and sitting time – might influence thinking skills and the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
-
Aging fat cells and their impact on memory and Alzheimer's disease
Researchers are looking at whether aged, harmful cells in body fat send signals that damage the brain and speed memory loss in people at risk for Alzheimer's.
-
SARS-CoV-2, APOE, and dementia: how COVID-19 affects thinking in aging and Alzheimer’s
This NIH grant explores how COVID-19 may impact brain function and pathology in people with aging or Alzheimer's disease, including how APOE genes might influence the effects.
-
Hippocampal neurogenesis and its link to memory in Alzheimer’s disease
This study investigates whether new brain cells form in the hippocampus of people with Alzheimer’s and how this may relate to memory and cognitive decline.
-
How air quality and neighborhood design affect thinking and social connection in rural older adults
This project uses wearables and daily surveys to look at whether air pollution, local neighborhood features, and social isolation affect thinking and memory in middle-aged and older rural adults.
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.