Projects

Click the project title to fold or unfold the content.
Determining modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and identifying people at a higher risk of AD at younger ages are imperatively needed in AD research and clinical practice. Disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythms are potential early phase manifestations in AD continuum and contribute to AD pathogenesis, representing a bidirectional relationship.

On-going grant support:

1.1. Circadian regulation, autonomic function, and Alzheimer’s disease

Circadian or ~24-hour day-night rhythm is a fundamental aspect in physiology that might be involved in the process of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Autonomic function, a largely unconscious regulator controlling a wide range of bodily functions, is another node that may play a role in the neurodegenerative process, and may explain the link between circadian regulation and AD. This study is designed to formally confirm these two questions by investigating an elderly cohort with motor activity and pulse rate monitored annually, and with health followed for up to 15 years. Results from this project may provide new intervention targets in future clinical studies of AD, and can lay the groundwork for the design of novel unobtrusive, cost-efficient tools for long-term monitoring of cognitive impairment or risk for AD.

 Check the latest progress ...
1.2. Timing and irregularity of daytime napping and Alzheimer’s disease

Longer and more frequent daytime naps were associated with higher risk of AD. More excessive (longer or more frequent) daytime napping was correlated with worse cognition, and conversely, worse cognition was correlated with more excessive naps. Older adults also nap irregularly and at different times of the day. Are these napping characteristics (i.e., timing and regularity) associated with cognitive decline or risk of AD?

1.3. Daytime napping and Alzheimer’s disease in middle-to-older aged adults: Timing, irregularity, and interaction with genetic risks

This project will test whether actigraphy-measured napping is cross-sectionally associated with cognition and prospectively associated with incident dementia/AD in a sample of ~99,000 middle- to older-aged participants. Findings will improve the understanding of risk factors for cognitive impairments in the aging population and help identify people at elevated risks of dementia at early stages.

Sleep and circadian homeostasis are essential to brain health, but sleep and circadian health of oftentimes marginalized individuals are grossly under-studied, and their links with brain health in the under-represented groups are yet to be better understood.