Actively-enrolling studies
BASE
Biomarkers of Alzheimer Disease in Sleep and EEG
The goal of this study is to develop sleep and EEG (brain wave) biomarkers of early Alzheimer Disease, to use for non-invasive screening, even prior to cognitive symptoms.
We are actively enrolling participants at least 65 years of age, who have normal memory or mild problems with memory. The study involves memory tests, sleep studies at home and at the Washington University medical campus, and a lumbar puncture. Participants will be reimbursed for their time and effort.
[In collaboration with Miranda Lim MD PhD]
NAPS Consortium
North American Prodromal Synucleinopathy Consortium for REM sleep behavior disorder
The NAPS Consortium is enrolling participants with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), in order to form a trial-ready cohort for future neuroprotective treatment clinical trials. Washington University is the lead site for the 10 NAPS Consortium sites in the US and Canada. Please visit the NAPS Consortium website for additional details.
Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Alzheimer Disease
“Sleep & Tau” study
There is a bi-directional relationship between sleep/circadian dysfunction and Alzheimer Disease pathology. In this study, we will tease apart this chicken-and-egg relationship by re-measuring sleep in individuals who participated in the Knight ADRC Actigraphy Wave 1 study in 2010-2012. Contact sleepstudy@wustl.edu or call us if you are interested in participating.
[In collaboration with David Holtzman MD, Erik Musiek MD PhD]
Completed studies
Sleep and Amyloid
Targeting slow wave sleep to control neuronal activity and amyloid-beta dynamics
This study showed that
- Obstructive sleep apnea appears to reduce clearance of brain waste products including amyloid-beta,
- Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea seems to normalize the relationship between amyloid-beta and sleep quality, and
- Slow wave sleep disruption specifically results in an increase in amyloid-beta levels in the cerebrospinal fluid.
This study has completed enrollment, but CSF, polysomnography, EEG, and other data and biospecimens are available for further analysis.
KADRC Actigraphy Wave 1
Original 2010-2012 cohort
205 cognitively-normal participants from the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center had actigraphy measurement of their sleep and circadian rhythms. This study was the first to show that individuals with preclinical Alzheimer Disease (brain changes but without cognitive symptoms) have worse sleep quality as well as irregular circadian activity rhythms.
[In collaboration with David Holtzman MD]
Collaborations
OSA and Glucose Metabolism
PI Bettina Mittendorfer PhD
This study uses deep metabolic phenotyping to determine tissues and mechanisms responsible for abnormal glucose metabolism in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea.
P-DROWSE
Postoperative Delirium and Electroencephalographic Measures of Sleep and Wakefulness
PI Ben Palanca MD PhD
This study examines sleep EEG predictors of delirium in the postoperative period.
SAFER
Sleep Apnea and FEtal growth Restriction
PI Ellen Lockhart MD
This study will assess the effect of obstructive sleep apnea in pregnant women on fetal growth restriction.
Perioperative Delirium
CPAP adherence and postoperative delirium in patients with OSA
PI Michael Avidan MBBCh FCA SA
This study examined the effect of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment with CPAP on postoperative delirium.
SLEEPS
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Evaluation of Poor Sleep
PI Alfred Kim MD PhD
SLEEPS is a prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort enrolling patients with Lupus followed at the Lupus Clinic at Washington University.
March of Dimes Prematurity Center
Theme 3: The Influence of Chronotype on Risk of Preterm Birth
Theme 3 Leaders: Sarah England PhD, Erik Herzog PhD, Emily Jungheim MD MSCI, Justin Fay
Does the disruption of maternal sleep/wake patterns contribute to preterm birth?