Cody Awarded $3.4 million to Study Sleep and Brain Health in Older Adults with HIV
Dr. Shameka L. Cody has received a $3.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, awarded through the National Institute on Aging. The five-year grant will fund a multisite clinical trial focused on improving sleep and cognitive function in older adults living with HIV.
“Dr. Cody’s NIH R01 award is a landmark achievement that highlights the depth of her expertise and the importance of her work,” said Julie Sanford, dean of the Capstone College of Nursing. “This research has the potential to transform how we address sleep and cognitive health in older adults living with HIV, improving both care and quality of life.”
The study will compare the efficacy of two behavioral treatments for insomnia: Brief Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia and Brief Mindfulness Treatment. Dr. Cody and a team of researchers from The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing and The University of Alabama at Birmingham will explore whether better sleep is linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people age 50 and older with HIV.
This is the first known study to examine how evidence-based sleep interventions may affect Alzheimer’s risk in this population, which is often overlooked in aging and dementia research. The results could help shape future public health strategies to address the complex health needs of older adults with HIV.
“This prestigious award allows our team to expand our previous work and explore how treating insomnia might help slow or mitigate cognitive decline in older adults with HIV,” said Dr. Cody.
Dr. Cody’s research team is comprised of collaborators affiliated with Maude Whatley Health Center Hope Clinic, UA Alabama Life Research Institute, UA Research Institute on Aging, UAB Center for AIDS Research, UAB 1917 Clinic, Five Horizons Health Services and UA Center for Substance Use and Related Conditions.