Sleep Apnea & Alzheimer's Risk Research Study
Researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine are partnering with African Americans aged 65-85 to examine the links between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and risk of Alzheimer's disease. Join our compensated study today!
Fast Facts
african americans 65-85 years old
no history of brain tumor, damage, or disease
obstructive sleep apnea OR no sleep disorders
Compensation Provided
Conducted in new york, NY
Study Background
Using a HeAlth DiSparity Research Framework to examine mechanisms linking ObstruCtive SlEep ApNea with higher Alzheimer’s Disease risk in olDer Blacks/African-American (ASCEND-AD)
The ASCEND-AD study is investigating whether Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is linked with higher Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) risk among older Blacks/African Americans.
ASCEND-AD aims to uncover risk factors driving racial disparities in dementia to examine why communities of color disproportionately shoulder the burden of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and to alleviate the health inequities in AD outcomes as it relates to sleep, memory & social determinants of health.
Participants will monitor their sleep at home, as well as one night of sleep study at Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, and complete brain scans. If you are a Black or African American adult 65-85, and you either have obstructive sleep apnea or have not been diagnosed with any sleeping disorders, you may qualify.
Help us address the racial disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease outcomes and take control of your brain health. Join our compensated study!
Study Background
Using a HeAlth DiSparity Research Framework to examine mechanisms linking ObstruCtive SlEep ApNea with higher Alzheimer’s Disease risk in olDer Blacks/African-American (ASCEND-AD)
The ASCEND-AD study is investigating whether Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is linked with higher Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) risk among older Blacks/African Americans.
ASCEND-AD aims to uncover risk factors driving racial disparities in dementia to examine why communities of color disproportionately shoulder the burden of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and to alleviate the health inequities in AD outcomes as it relates to sleep, memory & social determinants of health.
Participants will monitor their sleep at home, as well as one night of sleep study at Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center, and complete brain scans. If you are a Black or African American adult 55-85, and you either have obstructive sleep apnea or have not been diagnosed with any sleeping disorders, you may qualify.
Help us address the racial disparities in Alzheimer’s Disease outcomes and take control of your brain health. Join our compensated study!
Additional Information
You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Key Criteria:
- Black/African American
- 65-85 years old
- No history of brain tumor, MRI evidence of brain damage or brain disease, including significant trauma
- Have untreated obstructive sleep apnea OR have not been diagnosed with any sleep disorders
- No diagnosis of:
- Cognitive impairment
- Alcoholism or drug abuse within the last 5 years
- Insulin-dependent diabetes
- History of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or a major depressive episode in the last 2 years
- No clinically relevant cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine or hematological conditions
- Able to undergo an MRI
- Not taking the following medications:
- Narcotic analgesics
- Chronic use of medications with anticholinergic activity
- Anti-Parkinsonian medications (carbidopa/levodopa, amantadine, bromocriptine, pergolide, selegiline)
- Others: amphetamines, amphetamine-like compounds, appetite suppressants, phenothiazines, reserpine, buspirone, clonidine, disulfiram, guanethidine, MAO inhibitors, theophylline, tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, pregabalin, trazodone, salicylates, cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine
Participation in this study lasts 2.5 years total. Procedures include:
- Five baseline visits (6-8 weeks)
- Informed consent, sleep interview, and memory testing (3 hours)
Two nights of at-home sleep monitoring to screen for Obstructive Sleep Apnea using Home Sleep Apnea Device
- 7 nights of actigraphy (watch monitor)/ sleep logs
- Medical history report, clinical evaluation, memory testing, and blood draw (3 hours)
- One night sleep study at Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center
- Amyloid PET/MR Brain scan (2-3 hours)
- Tau PET/MR Brain scan (2-3 hours)
- Two one-year follow-ups
- Informed consent & repeat clinical tests from visit 1 & 2 (except OSA home monitoring)
- 2 nights of home sleep/ EEG study
- Five follow-up visits (approximately 2 years after the baseline – same 5 visits at baseline).
Compensation is provided up to $625 upon completion of first-year visits and $1,400 upon completion of follow-up visits.