How sleep and biological rhythms affect substance abuse risk in teens
Molecular rhythms and substance abuse vulnerability in adolescents
This study is looking at how sleep habits and body clocks affect the chances of teens developing problems with drugs or alcohol, and it aims to find ways to help keep young people safe from substance abuse.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10892098 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between sleep patterns, circadian rhythms, and the risk of substance use disorders in adolescents. By examining both human subjects and rodent models, the study aims to uncover how disruptions in sleep and biological rhythms can increase vulnerability to substance abuse. The researchers will collect skin cells from hair follicles to measure molecular rhythms and assess how these relate to sleep, reward systems, and potential therapeutic interventions. The goal is to identify effective treatments that could help mitigate the risk of substance abuse in young people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who may be at risk for substance use disorders due to sleep or circadian rhythm issues.
Not a fit: Patients outside the age range of 12 to 20 or those without any substance use disorder risk factors may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing substance abuse in adolescents by addressing sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of using hair follicle samples for molecular rhythm measurement in adolescents is novel, related research has shown success in understanding the impact of circadian rhythms on behavior and substance use.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcclung, Colleen a — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Mcclung, Colleen a
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.