Brain systems and neurodegenerative co-pathologies in sleep disturbance

Project title: Brain systems and neurodegenerative co-pathologies in sleep disturbance 

Principal Investigator: Professor Sharon Naismith and Associate Professor Elie Matar 

Principal Investigator institution: The University of Sydney

Summary of the project:  

This project aims to dissect the contribution of degeneration in the locus coeruleus and relevant co-pathologies to early sleep-wake disturbances & cognitive decline in individuals at high risk for neurodegeneration (i.e. mild cognitive impairment and REM sleep behavior disorder).  

The research team brings together global leaders in the field and leverages existing research cohorts of at-risk individuals with already deeply phenotyped participants, allowing for a longitudinal approach to comprehensively examine LC integrity, co-pathology, and sleep disturbances using gold-standard measures in a relatively short period of time. Findings are expected to provide novel mechanistic insights into the sleep-LC-cognition axis, inform biomarker development, and identify early intervention targets. 

Project duration: 24 months