Investigating sleep disturbances and treatments in zebrafish models of autism
Project 4: Whole-brain and body characterization of sleep disturbances and interventions in Fmr1, Shank3 and Cntnap2 knockout zebrafish
This study is looking at how sleep problems might affect brain development and behavior in zebrafish that mimic autism, and it hopes to find ways to improve sleep to help with some of the challenges people with autism face.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10916332 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research explores how sleep disruptions affect brain development and behavior in zebrafish that model autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By using a novel imaging technique called fluorescence-based polysomnography, the study aims to observe sleep patterns and their impact on synaptic connections in the brain. The researchers hypothesize that improving sleep through interventions could alleviate some of the behavioral and synaptic issues associated with ASD. This approach allows for a detailed examination of the whole brain and body in a living organism, providing insights that could translate to human conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who experience sleep disturbances.
Not a fit: Patients without autism spectrum disorder or those who do not experience sleep-related issues may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for sleep disturbances in patients with autism, potentially improving their overall development and behavior.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in using animal models to study sleep interventions for autism, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mourrain, Philippe — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Mourrain, Philippe
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 below.