Disease Mechanisms: Circadian rhythms and sleep (Milestone 2.F)
Achieved
Timeline Start - End
2016 - 2023Research Implementation Area
Research on Disease MechanismsCreate new research programs aimed at understanding the integrative physiology of circadian rhythms and sleep and its impact on brain aging and the risk of AD and AD-related dementias at multiple levels (epigenetic, gene expression, proteomic, neuronal, network, systems) to identify new targets and approaches for AD prevention.
Success Criteria
- Launch at least 12 new projects focused on understanding the short-term and long-term consequences of disrupted/optimized circadian rhythms and sleep on brain aging and dementia and the mechanistic links between sleep/circadian disruption and AD and AD-related dementias to identify new targets and approaches for AD prevention.
Summary of Key Accomplishments
NIA supported 24 projects through three targeted and one general funding initiative, aimed at investigating the role of sleep and circadian rhythms in brain aging and dementia. Most of these projects are focused on elucidating the causal relationships between sleep, tau protein buildup, and amyloid plaque formation in humans and animal models of AD. Some of the projects are using genomic and computational techniques to evaluate the disruption of molecular clocks within various disease pathways. Several are investigating health disparities linked to differences in sleep and circadian rhythms, with the goal of enabling evidence-based interventions that address sleep as a modifiable risk factor for AD/ADRD.
The key accomplishments summary is current as of March 2022.
Accomplishments/Implementation Activities
Funding Initiatives
- PAR-18-497: Sleep disorders and circadian clock disruption in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias of aging (R01)
- PAR-19-070: Research on Current Topics in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Related Dementias (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
- RFA-AG-20-040: Oscillatory Patterns of Gene Expression in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
- PAR-20-164: Mechanisms and consequences of sleep disparities in the U.S. (R01)
- NOT-AG-21-051: Sleep Disorders and Circadian Clock Disruption in Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias of Aging
Research Programs and Resources
- Sleep disorders and circadian clock disruption in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias of aging (R01) – 8 funded grants
- Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) Featured Research Session: Sleep in Alzheimer’s Disease; Molecules, Networks, People
- Select projects funded in FY21
- The role of 24-hour activity cycles in preserving cognitive function and preventing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Research Highlights
- Workshop: Neuropathological Impact of Sleep Deficiency and Sleep Disorders