Using light therapy to improve sleep and slow cognitive decline in older adults
Official title: Application of precision medicine to phototherapy: a stepped care approach to consolidate sleep and slow cognitive decline in older adults
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10985580 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how spending time in bright light during the afternoon can help older adults with mild cognitive impairment sleep better and possibly keep their thinking skills sharper, and it involves some fun light therapy and brain tests to see what works best.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 9, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $131,085 |
| NIH project number | 1K99AG084846-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10985580 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults with mild cognitive impairment who experience sleep disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe cognitive impairment or those who do not experience sleep-wake fragmentation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how afternoon exposure to bright light, known as phototherapy, can help improve sleep quality and potentially slow cognitive decline in older adults experiencing mild cognitive impairment. By utilizing advanced artificial intelligence techniques and analyzing large datasets, the study aims to identify factors that contribute to sleep-wake fragmentation and cognitive issues. Participants may undergo neurocognitive testing and receive light therapy as part of the intervention. The goal is to find effective ways to enhance sleep and cognitive health in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved sleep and cognitive function in older adults, potentially delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown mixed results with morning phototherapy, but this approach of afternoon light exposure is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lok, Renske — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Lok, Renske
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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.