Investigating how sleep affects emotions in adolescents with PTSD

Sleep and emotion processing in adolescent Post-traumatic stress Disorder

NIH-funded research University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11051261

This study is looking at how sleep affects emotions in teenagers aged 15-18 with PTSD, as well as those who have experienced trauma but don’t have PTSD, and those who are typically developing, to see how their sleep quality might influence how they feel and react to emotions.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Madison, United States)
Project IDNIH-11051261 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding the relationship between sleep and emotion processing in adolescents aged 15-18 who have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The study will involve advanced sleep assessment techniques, including high-density EEG, to analyze brain activity during sleep and after emotional learning tasks. Participants will be divided into three groups: those with PTSD, trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD, and typically developing adolescents. By examining these differences, the research aims to uncover how sleep quality impacts emotional responses and daily affect in these young individuals.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 15-18 who have been diagnosed with PTSD or have experienced trauma.

Not a fit: Patients who are outside the age range of 15-18 or do not have a history of trauma or PTSD may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for PTSD in adolescents by addressing sleep-related issues.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the link between sleep disturbances and emotional disorders, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Madison, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Affective Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.