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2022 Pilot Awards for Global Brain Health Leaders (GBHI)

Evaluation of the circadian rest-activity rhythm in adults with DS

How do changes in sleep impact individuals with Down syndrome who develop Alzheimer’s? 

Sandra Gimenez, M.D., Ph.D.
Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Barcelona, Spain



Background

Circadian rhythms are natural biological changes that occur over an approximately twenty-four hour cycle and is often called the sleep-wake cycle. These rhythms usually respond to the amount of light and darkness in an environment, and involve daily patterns of sleeping, eating, and other activities. Disruptions to circadian rhythms can alter an individual's ability to get proper sleep. Recent studies have shown that sleep disruption or poor sleep patterns may proceed cognitive impairment and impact one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Individuals with Down syndrome are at a high risk for developing Alzheimer’s. By the early age of 40, most individuals with Down syndrome have a build-up of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles in their brains, both hallmark brain changes observed in Alzheimer’s. Due to the timing and progression of Alzheimer’s, individuals with Down syndrome who volunteer to participate in research studies provide a unique opportunity to understand changes that occur during the early development of Alzheimer’s, including disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle.

Research Plan

For their study, Dr. Gimenez and colleagues will study the relationship between sleep disruption and early Alzheimer’s in individuals with Down syndrome. They will recruit 40 adults with Down syndrome across stages of Alzheimer’s from the Down Alzheimer Barcelona Neuroimaging Initiative (DABMI) as well as 20 cognitively unimpaired individuals. The researchers will measure sleep/wake states over 7 days using wristband actigraphy, a non-invasive method of recording human sleep-wake cycles and assess sleep quality and duration. Dr. Gimenez and the team will compare changes in sleep patterns between individuals with Down syndrome and cognitively unimpaired individuals. Finally, the team will evaluate the feasibility of monitoring sleep/wake states in individuals with Down syndrome who do not have access to clinics that can monitor these symptoms.

Impact

Results from this study may shed new light on how sleep disturbances impact early Alzheimer’s progression in individuals with Down syndrome. If successful, the findings could lead to new sleep-related approaches for assessing Alzheimer’s risk.

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