Using wearables to find sleep patterns that may indicate early Alzheimer's disease.

Genomics-guided sleep biomarker discovery for early Alzheimer's disease: A wearables study

NIH-funded research University of Massachusetts Amherst · NIH-11124850

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Hadley, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124850 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults who are cognitively normal but have a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.

Not a fit: Patients who are already diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or have significant cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Hadley, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.