Could your sleep habits predict Alzheimer's? new study investigates
NCT ID NCT03278119
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looks at how age-related sleep changes and sleep apnea might increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will use brain scans and overnight sleep tests in 158 healthy adults aged 55-75 to measure amyloid buildup and sleep patterns over two years. The goal is to understand if poor sleep contributes to Alzheimer's, which could lead to new ways to prevent the disease.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could identify sleep-related risk factors for Alzheimer's, pointing toward new prevention strategies.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It may not find clear links, and results may not apply to everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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158 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2018
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
112 subjects with normal sleep breathing (non-OSA) or mild to moderate OSA (AHI4%\<30).
- Ages
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55 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: To be eligible to participate in this study, an individual must meet all of the following criteria: * Male and female subjects with normal cognition and 55-75 years. * Within normal limits on neurological and psychiatric examinations. All subjects enrolled will have a CDR=0. * All subjects will have had a minimum of 12 years of education. Among minority subjects \>80% of the elderly individuals coming to the NYU-ADC meet this criterion. The education restriction reduces performance variance on cognitive test measures and improves the sensitivity for detecting pathology and disease progression using the robust norms available at NYU. Given most subjects will meet this criterion we do not consider this a major selection bias or generalization limitation for this study. * An informed family member or life-partner (preferably bed-partner) will be interviewed to confirm the reliability of the subject interview. Exclusion Criteria: An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * History of brain tumor, MRI evidence of brain damage or brain disease including significant trauma, hydrocephalus, seizures, mental retardation or other serious neurological disorder (e.g. Parkinson's disease or other movement disorders). * Significant history of alcoholism or drug abuse. * History of psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar, PTSD, or life-long history of major depression). * Geriatric Depression Scale (short form)\>6. * Insulin dependent diabetes. * Evidence of clinically relevant cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine or hematological conditions. * Physical impairment of such severity as to adversely affect the validity of psychological testing. * Any prosthetic devices (e.g., pacemaker or surgical clips) that constitutes a hazard for MRI imaging. * Medications affecting cognition: Narcotic analgesics, chronic use of medications with anticholinergic activity, anti-Parkinsonian medications (carbidopa/levodopa, amantadine, bromocriptine, selegiline). Others: amphetamines, amphetamine-like compounds, appetite suppressants, phenothiazines, reserpine, buspirone, clonidine, disulfiram, guanethidine, MAO inhibitors, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, salicylates, cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. * History of a first-degree family member with early onset (age \<60 years) dementia. * Irregular sleep-wake rhythms (based on the actigraphy recordings) or severe OSA (AHI4%≥30). * Chronic use of antidepressants and melatonin are allowed. * Excessive daytimes sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale \>10) or history of CVE (arrhythmias, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, carotid or coronary artery disease and chest pain) will not be allowed in the OSA groups.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Healthy Brain Aging and Sleep Center
New York, New York, 10016, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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