How concussion-related sleep problems affect the brain's waste-clearance system in college athletes
Understanding the effect of post-concussive sleep disruption on glymphatic function in collegiate athletes
This research will look at whether sleep troubles after a concussion change how the brain clears waste in college athletes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11312575 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a collegiate athlete who has had a concussion, researchers will follow your sleep patterns and symptoms after the injury. They will use brain imaging and other tests to measure the glymphatic pathway — the brain's system for clearing waste — and compare athletes with and without sleep-wake disturbance. The team will also use laboratory models to understand the biological steps that link poor sleep after concussion to slower recovery. The aim is to identify who is at risk and point to biological targets for treatments to improve sleep and recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are collegiate student-athletes who recently sustained a concussion, especially those reporting new or worse sleep problems after the injury.
Not a fit: People without a recent concussion, those whose sleep problems began before the injury, or non-collegiate populations may not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify athletes at higher risk for prolonged recovery and lead to new treatments that improve sleep and brain healing after concussion.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies show concussion and sleep loss can impair glymphatic clearance, but human evidence is limited and this approach is still being tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Piantino, Juan Andres — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Piantino, Juan Andres
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 below.