Brain Amyloid Retention After Sleep

What Is This Study About?

In this observational study, researchers will compare the effect of sleep on the brain—specifically, the brain's removal of waste—after a good night's sleep and after a night of sleep deprivation. Participants will undergo brain scans to measure levels of amyloid-beta, a protein that plays a role in Alzheimer's disease and is normally cleared from the brain after sleep.

Do I Qualify To Participate in This Study?

Must have:

• Young group (18-40 years old); older group (more than 40 years old)

Must NOT have:

• Pregnant and/or breastfeeding (may be postmenopausal or surgically sterile
• Positive urine test for controlled substances (cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamines, opioids, cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, or barbiturates) on each visit involving imaging studies and/or neuropsychological assessment
• Head trauma with loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes
• Problematic insomnia (trouble sleeping on most days)
• Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and/or abnormal sleeping patterns, including but not limited to those who use a CPAP machine, sleep during the day, use medication to fall asleep, sleep less than 5 hours per night, or work at night
• Use in the past 2 weeks of psychoactive medications or medications that may affect brain function, including opioid analgesics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or stimulants
• Current diagnosis of affective disorder, addiction (other than nicotine of caffeine), post-traumatic stress disorder, or schizophrenia
• Cognitive impairment
• Severe medical problems that can permanently impact brain function, such as central nervous system, cardiovascular, metabolic, autoimmune, or endocrine problems
• History of neurodegenerative disease
• Heavy alcohol use (consume more than five drinks in one sitting if male or more than four drinks in one sitting if female more than twice a week)
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Contraindication for MRI of the head, such as ferromagnetic objects in the body, pacemaker or other implanted electrical device, brain stimulator, dental implants, aneurysm clip, or metallic prosthesis
• Fear of enclosed spaces; cannot lie comfortably flat on the back for up to 2 hours in the MRI scanner
• Body weight of more than 250 kg (551 pounds)
• Previous radiation exposure from X-rays, PET scans, or other exposure that, with this study, would exceed NIH annual research limits, as determined by medical history and physical exam
• Study investigators, staff, and immediate family members

If I Qualify, Who Do I Contact?

Contact study personnel listed either under the general study contact or the location nearest you.

 

Where Is This Study Located?

Who Sponsors This Study?

Lead: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02669225