RecruitingObservational

Sleep apnoea and memory

This study, called "Sleep apnoea and memory," is for people attending memory clinics in the UK. Researchers want to find out how common sleep apnoea is in people with memory and thinking problems, and what symptoms might suggest someone has it. Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts while you sleep, which can affect how well you rest. If you take part, you'll fill in some questionnaires and wear a small watch-like device overnight at home to check your breathing. You'll get your results, and your doctor will too. The study also aims to see if treating sleep apnoea could improve sleep and reduce other health risks. Taking part is completely your choice and won't affect your usual healthcare.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

North Bristol NHS Trust

Enrolment target

453

Start

28 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

31 Aug 2026

Sleep apnoea in patients attending memory clinics

What is this study about?

This study is called "Sleep apnoea and memory" and it's looking into how sleep apnoea might affect people who are already experiencing memory and thinking problems. Sleep apnoea is a condition where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you're asleep. These pauses, called "apnoeas," can last for a few seconds up to a minute. If this happens too often, it can stop you from getting a deep, restful sleep. Many people don't even realise they have sleep apnoea, but it can make you feel tired during the day.

The main goal of this research is to see how many people attending memory clinics actually have sleep apnoea. It also aims to understand what specific symptoms people with memory issues might have if they also have sleep apnoea. By learning more about this link, researchers hope to better identify sleep apnoea in people with memory problems and understand if addressing it could make a difference to their overall health and well-being.

This study is important because understanding the connection between sleep and memory could lead to better ways of diagnosing and helping people. For example, if we find that many people with memory problems also have sleep apnoea, doctors might start checking for it more often. If treating sleep apnoea helps with sleep quality and overall health, it could be a positive step for many people.

Key takeaways

This study explores the link between sleep apnoea and memory problems.
It involves questionnaires and wearing a simple device overnight at home.
You'll get your sleep apnoea results, which can be useful for your health.
Potential benefits include a new sleep apnoea diagnosis and improved health.
Taking part is voluntary and won't affect your healthcare.
The study is mainly for people attending memory clinics in the UK.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for volunteers who are adults, aged 18 or older, and are currently attending an NHS memory clinic at one of the participating locations. You also need to be able to understand the study information and give your permission to take part.

There's a special part of the study, only for people joining in Bristol, where researchers might ask to take blood samples. To be in this part, you would need a new diagnosis of sleep apnoea and be able to travel to the Bristol Brain Centre for follow-up blood tests.

You won't be able to join the study if you're unable to give your consent (permission) to take part, or if you're not willing to wear the WatchPAT device overnight. For the blood tests part of the study, you also wouldn't be able to join if you can't travel to Bristol for the tests, unless arrangements can be made for tests at home.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you currently attending an NHS memory clinic?
Can you understand the study information and give your permission to join?
Are you willing to wear a small monitoring device on your wrist overnight at home?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, the first step is to read and sign a consent form, which means you agree to be in the study. The research team will then collect some information from your medical records. You'll also be asked to fill in some questionnaires about yourself and your sleep, which you can do online, on paper, or over the phone.

The main part of the study involves wearing a special device called a WatchPAT for one night while you sleep at home. It looks like a watch but also has a finger sleeve and a sticky patch for your chest. This device will check if you have sleep apnoea. After this, you and your GP will receive the results and information about any next steps.

If you're in the Bristol area and are diagnosed with sleep apnoea and referred for treatment, the study team might ask if you'd like to take part in an additional blood test study. This would involve giving blood samples before and after your sleep apnoea treatment, possibly every 4-8 weeks. Most people will only be involved for a short time, perhaps a few weeks, but those in the Bristol blood sample study might be involved for several months. Taking part is always your choice, and you can change your mind at any time without affecting your healthcare.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some benefits. You might get a new diagnosis of sleep apnoea that you weren't aware of, and if treated, this could improve your sleep quality, reduce your risk of other health problems like strokes, and help you feel more energetic during the day. However, if you are found to have severe sleep apnoea or feel very sleepy, you might be advised to stop driving or take a driving test to ensure everyone's safety. This study is generally considered low-risk since it mainly involves questionnaires and wearing a simple device, but potential implications for driving or insurance are important to consider. Remember, joining is optional, and you can withdraw at any point without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (5)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

North Bristol NHS Trust
City only
Bristol, England
Bradford District Care Trust
City only
Shipley, England
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Bodmin, England
North East London NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Rainham, England
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
City only
North Shields, England

Common questions

What is sleep apnoea?

Sleep apnoea is when your breathing stops and starts repeatedly while you're asleep, which can make your sleep less restful.

Who is running this study?

The research is being led by North Bristol NHS Trust in the UK, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Goldman Foundation.

Will I have to take any new medicines?

No, this study does not involve testing any new medicines. It's about understanding how sleep apnoea might be linked to memory problems.

What is the WatchPAT device?

It's a small, watch-like device you wear on your wrist and finger, with a sticky pad on your chest, to check your breathing and sleep overnight at home.

Can I leave the study if I change my mind?

Yes, taking part is completely optional, and you can stop being part of the study at any time without it affecting your usual medical care.

How to find out more

Victoria Gabb

victoria.gabb@bristol.ac.uk 0117 456 0700 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.