How the body's internal clock and sleep affect multiple sclerosis
Understanding role of circadian disruption in pathogenesis of MS
This project looks at whether disruptions to the body's internal clock and sleep make it harder for people with multiple sclerosis to repair the protective coating around their nerves (myelin).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290302 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team combines information from people with MS (including genetic data and brain tissue) with experiments in animal models to see how circadian disruption affects myelin repair. They focus on a key clock gene called Bmal1 that is active in cells that make myelin and is found in MS brains. Researchers will compare gene variants in MS patients, examine Bmal1 in human MS samples, and use controlled circadian or sleep disruption in animals to watch how repair is altered. The goal is to identify molecular pathways that could be targeted to improve remyelination in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis—especially those who have sleep disturbances, daytime fatigue, or interest in genetic studies—would be the most likely candidates to participate.
Not a fit: People without MS or patients whose symptoms are unrelated to circadian disruption or myelin repair are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that help nerve repair and reduce sleep problems and fatigue in people with MS.
How similar studies have performed: Early animal studies and analyses of human tissue suggest clock genes like Bmal1 can affect remyelination, but applying this approach to human treatments remains largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dutta, Ranjan — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Dutta, Ranjan
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.