Exploring how lack of sleep affects gut health

Understanding the effects of sleep deprivation on the gut's cellular homeostatic process

NIH-funded research Harvard Medical School · NIH-11062506

This study is looking at how not getting enough sleep can affect gut health, using fruit flies to help us understand how sleep loss might change the gut and increase the risk of heart and metabolic issues.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHarvard Medical School NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11062506 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between sleep deprivation and gut health using fruit flies as a model. It aims to understand how chronic sleep loss leads to changes in gut cell composition and function, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The study will analyze the effects of sleep deprivation on gut cellular processes and the signaling pathways involved in this relationship. By examining these mechanisms, the research seeks to uncover how sleep quality impacts overall gut physiology.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic sleep disturbances or related gastrointestinal issues.

Not a fit: Patients with stable sleep patterns and no gastrointestinal concerns may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into how improving sleep may enhance gut health and reduce the risk of related diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the gut-sleep relationship, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.