How sleep patterns affect glucose metabolism in young people
Official title: Night Owl Metabolism: Investigating the Impact of Chronotype on Glucose Metabolism in Youth
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11136492 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the sleep habits of 'night owls' can affect blood sugar levels in young people aged 17-23, and it aims to see if testing their glucose and having meals at times that match their natural sleep patterns can help them manage their blood sugar better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $198,720 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DK140635-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136492 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults aged 17-23 who identify as having a late chronotype or 'night owl' sleep pattern.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a late chronotype or are outside the age range of 17-23 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the timing of sleep, particularly for those who identify as 'night owls', influences glucose metabolism in adolescents and young adults. The study aims to determine if aligning glucose testing and meal timing with an individual's natural sleep schedule can improve their blood sugar levels. By using a randomized cross-over design, participants will undergo glucose testing at times that correspond to their chronotype, which may lead to more accurate assessments and better management of glucose levels. The research focuses on youth aged 17-23 who have different sleep patterns.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing glucose metabolism in young people, potentially reducing the risk of youth-onset type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have suggested a link between sleep timing and glucose metabolism, but this research is novel in its specific focus on youth and the alignment of testing with chronotype.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hitt, Talia — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Hitt, Talia
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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.