Using wearables to find sleep patterns that may indicate early Alzheimer's disease.
Official title: Genomics-guided sleep biomarker discovery for early Alzheimer's disease: A wearables study
Funded at University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11124850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in sleep patterns, tracked by wearable devices, might help spot early signs of Alzheimer's in older adults who are healthy but have a family history of the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hadley, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $772,900 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082354-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older adults who are cognitively normal but have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or have significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how changes in sleep patterns, monitored through consumer wearables, can serve as early indicators of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. Participants, who are cognitively normal but have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's, will wear devices that track sleep, heart rate, and activity levels. The study aims to analyze this data using artificial intelligence to identify potential biomarkers for early detection of the disease. By focusing on noninvasive and low-cost methods, the research seeks to provide insights before cognitive symptoms appear.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early detection methods for Alzheimer's disease, allowing for timely interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using digital biomarkers and wearables for early detection of cognitive decline, indicating a potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Hadley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dutta, Joyita — University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Study coordinator: Dutta, Joyita
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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.