About the study
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) & overlap syndrome are associated with obstructions in breathing & disturbed sleep.
Chronic breathing disruptions & poor sleep may lead to cognitive impairment & brain changes linked with early neurodegenerative processes. Identifying early markers of cognitive impairment & dementia risk in individuals with chronic respiratory & sleep breathing disorders is crucial for understanding how these diseases may contribute to accelerated brain ageing.
This study will comprehensively measure sleep, lung function, cognitive performance & blood-based markers of dementia risk & inflammation.
We will use innovative technologies to identify biomarkers of cognitive impairment & dementia risk. We will also investigate the relationships between disrupted sleep & abnormal breathing & the brain.
This research may also inform future early interventions to improve cognition & brain health in chronic sleep & respiratory disease.
What's involved
Participants will be asked to visit the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research for an initial 2.5 hour screening (Screening and Consent Visit).
Following screening (if deemed eligible), participants will be booked for their experimental visit which involves an overnight sleep study with a high-density EEG recording system, questionnaires and cognitive testing in the evening.
In the morning, participants will undergo blood collection and a neuropsychological assessment prior to discharge.
Participants will undergo a MRI brain scan at Macquarie University within one week of the experimental sleep study visit.
Visits required
Four visits. Three at the Woolcock & One at Macquarie University for an MRI.
Eligibility criteria
- Individuals aged 40 to 65 years old
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Healthy controls
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Diagnosed or suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
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Diagnosed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
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Diagnosed Overlap Syndrome (COPD and OSA)
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No dementia, asthma, narcolepsy (NT), idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), REM Behaviour Disorder (RBD) or moderate to severe Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) diagnosis
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No malignancies (basal cell carcinoma accepted)
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No PAP use or overnight oxygen therapy use in the last 2 months
Chief investigator: Associate Professor Angela D'Rozario and Professor Brendon Yee
Ethics approvals:
All research in Australia involving humans is reviewed by an independent group of people called a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The ethical aspects of this research project have been approved by the HREC (RPAH Zone) of the Sydney Local Health District (X23-0330). This project will be carried out according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007). This statement has been developed to protect the interests of people who agree to participate in human research studies.
Find out more
Contact: Laura Harris
Call: 9805 3194
Email: oracle@woolcock.org.au
