Exercise timing to reset the brain’s body clock in breast cancer care
Official title: The Role of Exercise in Controlling Central Mediators of Circadian Rhythm
Funded at University of Wyoming · NIH-11388639 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether exercising at specific times can reset the brain’s circadian clock and potentially improve well-being for people coping with breast cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wyoming NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Laramie, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2017 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $208,058 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121310-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388639 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with breast cancer or at-risk individuals who experience circadian disruption and could benefit from timing-based lifestyle strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without circadian disruption or breast cancer-related concerns may see limited or no benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project uses an animal model to understand how timed exercise might realign circadian rhythms disrupted by cancer-related factors. It examines how exercise can shift the central clock in the brain and how this affects peripheral clocks in the body. The researchers plan controlled light disruption to mimic human circadian misalignment and then apply exercise to see if normal rhythms can be restored. The goal is to uncover mechanisms by which exercise may serve as a chronobiological tool to support patients, informing future human studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to chronotherapy strategies that use exercise timing to improve sleep, energy, and quality of life for breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary evidence in humans shows mid-afternoon exercise can influence peripheral clocks, supporting further exploration of timing-based strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wyoming
Laramie, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmitt, Emily Elizabeth — University of Wyoming
- Study coordinator: Schmitt, Emily Elizabeth
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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.