Nighttime Agitation and Restless Legs Syndrome in People with Alzheimer's Disease

This project is closed. No applications are allowed.

This project is an NIH funded randomized pilot clinical trial (R01AG051588), that is being conducted in long-term care settings and private homes. Nighttime agitation is a prevalent symptom in persons with Alzheimer’s disease related dementia (ADRD). Effective treatments are absent due to our limited knowledge of its etiology. We hypothesized that restless legs syndrome (RLS), a common neurologic sensorimotor disorder of uncomfortable leg sensations that appear at night and interfere with sleep, might be a cause for nighttime agitation in this population. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine if RLS treatment reduces nighttime agitation and improves sleep.

Qualifications

Fluent in English, and fluent in Spanish is a plus. Excellent verbal and written communication. Interest in Alzheimer's disease, neuropsychiatric symptoms, sleep, pharmacological interventions, gerontology. Seeking experiences in the research process and willing to learn new skills. Dependable and clear communicator.

Project Timeline

This is a 5 year project starting from 2017, and it will last to March 31, 2022.

Duties

Assist with recruitment activities Conduct observational data in nursing homes Enter and check data in Redcap Assist with publications Involve in other research-related duties as assigned

Typical Time Commitment
8-10 hours per week
Desired Length of Commitment
At least 1 semester, preferred 2 semesters

I'M INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT. WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

The Office of Undergraduate Research recommends that you attend an info session or advising before contacting faculty members or project contacts about research opportunities. We'll cover the steps to get involved, tips for contacting faculty, funding possibilities, and options for course credit. Once you have attended an Office of Undergraduate Research info session or spoken to an advisor, you can use the "Who to contact" details for this project to get in touch with the project leader and express your interest in getting involved.

Have you tried contacting professors and need more help? Schedule an appointment for additional support.