How the brain's clock adapts to changes in day length
Official title: Functional Connectivity in the Circadian Clock
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10993484 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a part of the brain that helps control our daily sleep and hormone patterns adjusts to changes in daylight throughout the seasons, and it could help people understand and improve sleep issues and other related health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $542,354 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS139415-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993484 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals experiencing sleep disorders or those interested in the effects of circadian rhythms on health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable circadian rhythms and no sleep-related issues may not receive significant benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which regulates daily rhythms like sleep and hormone release, adapts to seasonal changes in day length. By using advanced techniques to observe and manipulate specific types of brain cells, the study aims to understand the connectivity and signaling changes that occur in response to longer or shorter days. Patients may benefit from insights into how circadian rhythms affect health and behavior, potentially leading to new treatments for sleep disorders and other related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for sleep disorders and better understanding of how circadian rhythms influence overall health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding circadian rhythms and their impact on health, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herzog, Erik — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Herzog, Erik
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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.