Investigating how thalamic stimulation affects sleep patterns
Official title: Thalamocortical interactions and the effect of thalamic stimulation on sleep oscillations
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11015993 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a part of the brain called the thalamus affects sleep and how using electrical stimulation on it might help improve or change sleep patterns, especially for people with drug-resistant epilepsy and those who already have thalamic stimulators.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $698,870 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG090302-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015993 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with medication-resistant epilepsy and those with chronic thalamic stimulators for seizure control.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without sleep disorders or those not experiencing chronic neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the role of the thalamus in sleep regulation and how electrical stimulation of this brain region can influence sleep oscillations. By studying two groups of patients—those with drug-resistant epilepsy and those with implanted thalamic stimulators—the research aims to understand how stimulation can both promote and disrupt sleep patterns, particularly focusing on sleep spindles. The study will utilize advanced techniques to monitor brain activity and deliver stimulation in real-time, providing insights into the effects of thalamic stimulation on sleep integrity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for improving sleep quality in patients with sleep disturbances.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific effects of thalamic stimulation on sleep have not been extensively studied, similar approaches in neuromodulation have shown promise in other areas of neurological treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zelmann, Rina — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Zelmann, Rina
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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.