Investigating how sleep affects depression and suicidal thoughts in teenagers
Official title: Longitudinal study of sleep duration, reward and cognitive control circuits, and vulnerability for depression and suicidal ideation during adolescence
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10669578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how not getting enough sleep might affect the mental health of kids aged 11 to 14, especially in relation to feelings of sadness and thoughts about suicide, by tracking their sleep habits and mental well-being over the school year.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $663,043 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH118312-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10669578 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 11.5 to 14.5 who experience varying sleep durations, particularly those who typically sleep 7 hours or less.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 11.5 to 14.5 or those who do not experience sleep issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the relationship between sleep duration and mental health in adolescents, particularly focusing on how insufficient sleep may contribute to depression and suicidal ideation. By examining brain activity related to reward and cognitive control, the study aims to understand the impact of sleep loss on these critical neural pathways. The research will involve a longitudinal approach, tracking a group of 210 youths aged 11.5 to 14.5 over time to assess changes in their mental health as it relates to their sleep patterns during the school year.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating depression and suicidal thoughts in adolescents by addressing sleep issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the link between sleep and mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Franzen, Peter L — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Franzen, Peter L
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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.