UVA explores link between sleep and the aging brain

Individuals who are 65 years of age or older, experiencing cognitive decline and struggling with sleep issues, are being recruited by the University of Virginia to participate in an online study led by nursing professor Meghan Mattos. Over a two-year period, participants will keep a sleep diary and complete surveys in the privacy of their own homes.

The study aims to enroll approximately 150 individuals and will provide half of them with access to a free, online program designed to address insomnia and other sleep-related issues, called SHUT-I OASIS. This program is tailored to the needs of older adults, taking into account common sleep-related issues such as nocturia and daytime sleepiness.

The primary objective of the study is to determine if improving sleep quality can lead to improved brain health, with the ultimate goal of potentially delaying or preventing the onset of conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Funding for the study is provided in part by the National Institutes of Health, and individuals from anywhere in the Commonwealth or the United States are eligible to participate.

References:

Hausman, S. (2023, February 20). UVA explores link between sleep and the aging brain. WVTF. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-02-20/uva-explores-link-between-sleep-and-the-aging-brain