Investigating the link between circadian rhythms and postoperative delirium in older adults
Delirium, Acute Inflammation, and Rhythmic Transcriptomics (DART)
This study is looking at how changes in your body's natural sleep-wake cycle might lead to confusion after heart surgery in older adults, and it hopes to find ways to help prevent this by analyzing blood samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10727587 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how disruptions in the body's natural circadian rhythms may contribute to postoperative delirium in older adults undergoing cardiac surgery. By examining the relationship between changes in circadian timing and systemic inflammation, the study aims to identify potential biomarkers and therapies to reduce the risk of delirium. The researchers will utilize a machine-learning algorithm to analyze blood transcriptomic data, which may reveal important insights into the timing of physiological processes related to delirium. Ultimately, this work seeks to improve outcomes for older patients after surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults who are scheduled to undergo elective cardiac surgery.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgery or are younger than the typical geriatric age range may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing postoperative delirium in older adults, enhancing their recovery and overall quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of using transcriptomic data to study circadian rhythms and delirium is novel, related research has shown that understanding circadian disruptions can impact patient outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smith, Sarah Kendall — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Smith, Sarah Kendall
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.