Understanding how sleep problems speed up brain aging in different groups of people
Using polygenic risk scores and omics to study how suboptimal sleep accelerates cognitive aging in diverse populations
This research explores how poor sleep might make our brains age faster, especially in people from various backgrounds.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11093520 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We know that sleep issues like insomnia, short sleep, or sleep apnea are linked to memory problems and a higher chance of developing dementia. This project aims to uncover the specific biological reasons why poor sleep might accelerate cognitive aging. By looking at genetic information and other biological markers from large groups of diverse individuals, we hope to find new ways to identify those at risk and develop strategies to protect brain health. This work uses existing data from three major health studies to understand these connections better.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research uses data from existing large-scale studies, so direct patient participation in new data collection is not currently part of this specific grant.
Not a fit: Patients not experiencing sleep issues or those without risk factors for cognitive decline may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to identify individuals at higher risk for cognitive decline due to sleep problems and develop targeted interventions to slow down brain aging.
How similar studies have performed: While the link between sleep and cognitive decline is known, this project uses novel genetic and 'omics' methods to understand the underlying biological pathways, which is a less explored area.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sofer, Tamar — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Sofer, Tamar
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.