How chronic sleep deficiency affects bone health in aging adults
Official title: Chronic sleep deficiency as a cause of bone loss in aging
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11060972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how not getting enough sleep can affect bone health in older adults, using rats to see how sleep loss might lead to weaker bones and more fractures, with hopes that the results will help us understand the importance of good sleep for our bones as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $603,006 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG083653-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11060972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience chronic sleep deficiency or are at risk for osteoporosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have issues related to sleep deficiency or bone health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of chronic sleep deficiency on bone health in aging adults. It aims to understand the mechanisms by which lack of sleep can lead to bone loss, fractures, and osteoporosis. Using a rat model, the study will expose male and female rats to chronic sleep restriction and analyze the resulting changes in bone quality and integrity over time. The findings could provide insights into how sleep patterns influence bone health in humans, particularly in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing bone loss and fractures in aging adults.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has indicated that sleep quality significantly affects bone health, suggesting that this study's approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Everson, Carol a — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Everson, Carol a
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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.