Understanding sleep problems in Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy
Clinical Features and Neuropathological Basis of Sleep Wake Behavior in Alzheimer's and PSP
This research looks at how specific brain changes in people with Alzheimer's disease or PSP cause sleep and wake problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11380004 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of research that compares sleep-related brain changes in people with Alzheimer's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Scientists examine sleep-regulating areas in the brain (like parts of the brainstem and hypothalamus) using advanced tissue and molecular tests to measure abnormal proteins and neurotransmitter activity. They connect those tissue findings with patients' sleep patterns and clinical histories to see which brain systems drive different types of sleep disruption. That information is meant to guide choice of medicines that target the affected brain systems in each disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease dementia or progressive supranuclear palsy, especially those who have noticeable sleep-wake disturbances or who can contribute clinical sleep data or tissue donations.
Not a fit: People without a neurodegenerative diagnosis or whose sleep issues are due to unrelated causes (for example primary insomnia, medication side effects, or psychiatric conditions) are unlikely to benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to medications or targets that better treat the specific sleep problems people with Alzheimer's or PSP experience.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked amyloid and tau proteins to sleep disruption and earlier work supports these links, but directly comparing the molecular and neurotransmitter changes in AD versus PSP is a more novel approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neylan, Thomas C — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Neylan, Thomas C
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.