How metabolic diseases affect circadian rhythms and dietary therapy
Official title: Mechanisms of Circadian Rhythm Modulation by Metabolic Disease and Dietary Therapy
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10993167 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our body’s internal clock affects metabolic diseases, especially in people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, to see if fixing sleep patterns and diet can help improve their symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $357,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129659-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993167 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or other neurological disorders that exhibit circadian rhythm disruptions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without neurological disorders or those not experiencing circadian rhythm disturbances may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between metabolic diseases and circadian rhythms, particularly in the context of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. By using Drosophila as a model organism, the study aims to explore how disruptions in circadian rhythms can worsen symptoms of these diseases, such as sleep disturbances and metabolic issues. The research will analyze the molecular mechanisms linking metabolism and circadian function, potentially leading to dietary interventions that could improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new dietary therapies that improve sleep and overall quality of life for patients with neurological disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the links between metabolism and circadian rhythms, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palladino, Michael John — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Palladino, Michael John
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Dysfunctional fat tissue and its link to fatty liver and diabetes
Researchers are studying how problems in fat tissue contribute to fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes in adults.
-
Role of the body's natural cannabis-like system in diabetes progression and heart risk
This grant studies how the body's endocannabinoid system affects the progression from obesity to diabetes and the associated risk for cardiovascular disease in adults.
-
Circadian control of brain blood vessels in Alzheimer’s disease
A researcher at Emory is studying how daily biological rhythms influence the brain’s blood vessels to improve brain drug delivery in Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Exploring vagal gut-brain signals to treat obesity
Researchers are studying how the vagus nerve communicates about eating to see if targeting gut-brain signals can help treat obesity.
-
Early-life sodium loss and brain signals that shape long-term heart and metabolism health
This project studies how losing sodium in early life can set the brain’s pressure and salt-checking system to influence heart and metabolic health later on.
-
Understanding the biology behind Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD) and new treatment ideas
This NIH grant aims to understand why some people, including teens and adults, have DSWPD and how to develop better circadian-based treatments to improve sleep and daily functioning.
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.