Investigating how sleep disruption after mild traumatic brain injury affects chronic headaches.
Official title: Role of Sleep Disruption after mTBI as a Driver of Chronic Post-traumatic Headache
Funded at Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res · NIH-10872224 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sleep problems might be linked to chronic headaches that some people get after a mild brain injury, and it will test if a medication called prazosin can help improve sleep and reduce headache pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $586,440 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129573-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10872224 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a mild traumatic brain injury and are suffering from chronic headaches and sleep disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a mild traumatic brain injury or do not suffer from headaches may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between sleep disruption and chronic post-traumatic headaches that often occur after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It hypothesizes that sleep problems may contribute to the development of these headaches by impairing the glymphatic system, which is crucial for brain health and function. The study will involve comparing the effects of different types of mTBI on glymphatic function and testing whether a specific medication, prazosin, can improve both glymphatic function and headache symptoms. Patients may be monitored for changes in their sleep patterns and headache severity throughout the study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for chronic headaches following mild traumatic brain injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the relationship between sleep and headache disorders, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iliff, Jeffrey J — Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
- Study coordinator: Iliff, Jeffrey J
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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.