Slow-wave Sleep Enhancement in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: Effects on Memory, Brain Activity, and Plasma Amyloid-Beta

What this Trial Is About

Dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease affects millions of adults over age 65, and the costs of managing this condition are expected to rise significantly in the coming decades. Sleep is an important factor for brain health and cognition that tends to worsen with age and Alzheimer's disease. This research aims to study whether improving deep sleep can influence Alzheimer's disease-related brain changes and cognitive function by using a behavioral sleep intervention in older adults at risk for the disease. The study compares two groups over four weeks: one group will have their time in bed restricted to 85% of their usual sleep time, aiming to enhance slow-wave sleep (deep sleep), while the other group will maintain their typical sleep schedule. The intervention involves adjusting sleep and wake times equally at the beginning and end of the night to promote deeper sleep. This trial is randomized and single-blinded, focusing on changes in brain activity, plasma amyloid levels, and memory performance. Participants will undergo assessments at the start and after four weeks, including brain scans, blood tests, and cognitive memory tests. Researchers will measure slow-wave sleep activity, hippocampal activation, plasma amyloid-beta levels, and overnight memory retention. Additional sleep and brain connectivity metrics will be evaluated. Safety and adherence will be monitored throughout the trial, which includes participants aged 65 to 85 with sleep difficulties and normal or corrected vision and hearing.

Time-in-bed Restriction in Older Adults With Sleep Difficulties With and Without Risk for Alzheimer's Disease