How the body's internal clock affects the blood-brain barrier and inflammation
Official title: Circadian rhythm regulation of blood-brain barrier transport and inflammation
Funded at Emory University · NIH-10995337 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how our body's natural daily rhythms affect the blood-brain barrier, which helps keep our brain safe while letting in important nutrients, to find better ways to deliver treatments for brain-related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | December 6, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $234,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R21NS132010-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995337 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological conditions that require targeted drug therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to the blood-brain barrier or circadian rhythms may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the body's circadian rhythms influence the function of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is crucial for protecting the brain from harmful substances while allowing necessary nutrients to pass through. By using a human BBB model, the study aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the BBB's transport functions throughout the day. The researchers will explore how inflammation from the body interacts with the BBB's circadian rhythms, potentially affecting drug delivery to the brain. This work could lead to new strategies for improving treatments for neurological conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the effectiveness of neurological treatments by improving drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the biological mechanisms of the blood-brain barrier can lead to significant advancements in drug delivery, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Shirley — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Shirley
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Sleep, circadian rhythms, and the brain’s reward system in teens
A study in teens aims to understand how sleep patterns and daily rhythms influence risk-taking and substance use by looking at brain circuits involved in reward and control.
-
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder: Understanding Why Some People Sleep Late
A study at Northwestern University is exploring why some people with delayed sleep patterns have different light sensitivity and how this affects their sleep timing, with the goal of personalizing treatment for those with DSWPD.
-
Sleep and circadian factors linked to opioid treatment outcomes
A long-term study at Johns Hopkins will follow people on buprenorphine or methadone to see how sleep quality and daily rhythms relate to ongoing opioid use.
-
Exercise timing to reset the brain’s body clock in breast cancer care
A study tests whether exercising at specific times can reset the brain’s circadian clock and potentially improve well-being for people coping with breast cancer.
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.