The role of sleep dysfunction in Down syndrome Alzheimer’s disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of sleep dysfunction in Down syndrome Alzheimer’s disease: Novel applied methodologies
IRAS ID
313674
Contact name
Stephanie S. G. Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS FT and the University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Virtually all people with Down’s syndrome (DS) develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) after the age of 40 years, as the genetic changes that cause DS also affect the viability of brain cells later in life, causing them to degenerate. As with AD in the general population, poor sleep is a risk factor for dementia in DS. The degenerative brain changes caused by AD can be studied using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or brain scanning. With recent advances, MRI scanners with stronger magnets (i.e. of a “7 Tesla” magnetic strength) are being used to gain highly resolved anatomical images of the brain. Participants will be asked to undergo a high resolution 7T MRI scan and to provide a sample of blood to be used to measure proteins that may be associated with AD and sleep. Participants’ pattern of sleep will be measured with a Fitbit and some memory tests will also be carried out.
As sleep is a promising target for therapies that may delay the onset and/or severity of AD, this research study aims to answer the important question of how sleep quality affects AD-related brain changes in people with DS, a group at very high risk for AD.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/YH/0123
Date of REC Opinion
1 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion