Could a special light help Alzheimer's patients sleep better and think clearer?

NCT ID NCT03933696

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 14, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested whether a tailored light intervention could improve thinking, sleep, and metabolism in 25 people with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease. Participants received either active or placebo lighting at home. The goal was to see if light exposure could help regulate sleep-wake cycles and blood sugar control.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: tailored lighting intervention (device)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, drug-free way to ease symptoms like sleep problems and metabolic issues in early Alzheimer's.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early study with only 25 participants. The light treatment may not produce meaningful benefits, and results may not apply to everyone.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alzheimer disease Cognitive Dysfunction type 2 diabetes mellitus

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALZHEIMER DISEASE MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT TYPE2 DIABETES

Contacts and locations

Locations

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York, New York, 10029, United States
Rutgers University

New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08854, United States

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