Sleep and Brain Health Study

STUDY BASICS

Are you at least 60 years old? Are you retired? You may be eligible to participate in a research study to learn more about how cognition (thinking and memory) and brain function are affected by years of former night shift work. To evaluate this, researchers are comparing people who performed night shift work with people who did not. Compensation will be provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Poor sleep habits can increase the risk of depression, memory problems, heart disease, and diabetes. However, little is known about how repeated sleep disruptions related to night shift work might affect brain and cognitive health later in life.

The purpose of this research study is to find out if a history of shift work (night work on a permanent or rotating basis) has any long-term effect on a person’s brain health and function. As part of this study, researchers will compare results from shift workers and non-shift workers.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Age at least 60 years
• Not working for pay >10 hours/week within the past 12 months
• Have not attained a Bachelor's degree or higher degree
• Speaks/writes English
• Can see well enough to read newspaper headlines
• Can hear well enough to hold a conversation if someone speaks loudly
• Is not color blind
• Not previously diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Study participation will include questionnaires, interviews, cognitive testing, MRI scans, a blood sample, a sleep diary, and wearing a wrist-based actigraphy watch.