Investigating how sleep and memory develop in young children during the transition away from naps
Official title: Longitudinal Investigation of Sleep, Memory, and Brain Development Across the Nap Transition
Funded at Univ of Maryland, College Park · NIH-11111174 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how taking naps can help young kids aged 3 to 5 years improve their memory and thinking skills, and it wants to find out why they start napping less as they grow up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,407,867 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL164628-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111174 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 36 to 54 months who are transitioning away from regular napping.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not in the specified age range or who do not have a regular napping schedule may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the critical role of naps in enhancing memory and cognitive development in children aged 3 to 5 years. It aims to understand why children stop napping during a crucial period of brain development, hypothesizing that as the brain matures, it becomes more efficient at retaining information without the need for frequent naps. The study will involve 180 participants and will utilize advanced techniques such as actigraphy to monitor sleep patterns and polysomnography to assess sleep quality, alongside memory tests to evaluate cognitive changes. Parents will also provide real-time feedback on their child's nap status to ensure accurate data collection.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding of sleep's role in childhood development, potentially informing parenting practices and educational strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on sleep and memory, this longitudinal approach specifically examining the nap transition in young children is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Maryland, College Park
College Park, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Riggins, Tracy L. — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Riggins, Tracy 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.