Daridorexant for sleep in adults with alcohol use disorder
Official title: Daridorexant for the treatment of sleep amongst those with an alcohol use disorder using the addictions neuroclinical assessment framework
Funded at Washington State University · NIH-11391528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new study will test whether the sleep medicine daridorexant helps adults with alcohol use disorder sleep better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pullman, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $688,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA033274-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with Alzheimer’s disease dementia and an alcohol use disorder who can complete the study procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Some individuals may not experience sleep improvement or could have adverse effects from the medication.
What this research studies
This study will enroll adults 21 and older with Alzheimer’s disease dementia who also have an alcohol use disorder. It will use a double-blind, placebo-controlled design to see if daridorexant improves sleep quality and reduces sleep problems when added to standard care. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either daridorexant or a placebo for a defined period, with careful monitoring and follow-up visits. The researchers will measure sleep outcomes and monitor health effects, aiming to understand how sleep and alcohol-related health interact in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience better sleep, which could improve daytime functioning and overall health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous sleep medications have shown mixed results in similar populations, making this study an important test of a new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington State University
Pullman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcpherson, Sterling M — Washington State University
- Study coordinator: Mcpherson, Sterling M
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.