Brice McConnell, MD, PhD

As the director of the sleep research program at the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center, my lab explores the relationship between sleep and memory functions, focusing on the potential neuroprotective role of sleep against Alzheimer's disease. We have observed changes in sleep, especially during aging, that are related to poor memory performance and may accelerate Alzheimer’s disease progression. Our research has revealed unique brain communication signals and changes in brain memory processing across the human lifespan, identifying potential early predictors of Alzheimer's disease. Using electroencephalography (EEG), we monitor these changes through specific electrical patterns in brain activity, including as slow waves and sleep spindles, which are crucial in memory processing during sleep. These data suggest that disturbances in these brain wave patterns correlate with the development of Alzheimer's disease pathology, indicating that regular sleep monitoring could serve as an early biomarker of brain health and Alzheimer's progression. Our long-term goal is to develop technology that enables the deployment of a simple EEG headband for home use as a "brain health tracker" to predict and potentially mitigate the onset of dementia, offering a novel approach to Alzheimer's disease prevention and treatment monitoring.