African-Americans are disproportionately affected by health disparities related to sleep, trauma, and late-life cognitive decline. Traumatic experiences can cause sleep difficulties which lead to brain-related issues, like Alzheimer’s disease. Studies examining the effect of trauma on sleep and the downstream effect on cognition in African-American adults are extremely limited.

Researchers hope their findings will help to better understand how Alzheimer’s disease develops and impacts people, especially those more at risk, like African-Americans. This study will explore the relationship between trauma, sleep, and cognition among African-American adults who have first-degree relatives diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.