NIH-funded research R21 grant

Sleep and mood links in Fragile X Syndrome

Official title: Sleep and Mood Dysregulation in Fragile X Syndrome: A Multidisciplinary Investigation of Behavioral and Neurobiological Correlates

Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11456853 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A short, patient-friendly study to understand how sleep problems relate to mood and depressive symptoms in people with Fragile X–linked autism.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWake Forest University Health Sciences
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Winston-Salem, United States)
Project startSeptember 11, 2026
Project endAugust 31, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$417,249
NIH project number1R21HD123275-01
Project IDNIH-11456853 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Individuals with Fragile X–associated autism (ASD) who experience sleep disturbances and mood symptoms.

Less likely to help

Participants without sleep disturbances or mood symptoms may have limited direct benefit.

What this research studies

This project will look at how sleep patterns connect with mood and depressive-like behaviors in Fragile X autism. Researchers will use sleep studies and brain activity monitoring to identify biomarkers that could help predict treatment response. The goal is to find clues that could guide better sleep and mood interventions for ASD with Fragile X features. The findings may pave the way for new approaches to diagnose and treat mood issues in this population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to better screening and personalized interventions for mood and sleep problems in Fragile X–associated autism.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research in ASD and Fragile X suggests sleep and mood are interconnected, but targeted biomarkers are still emerging.

Where this research is happening

  • Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Winston-Salem, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Raab-Graham, Kimberly Frances — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
  • Study coordinator: Raab-Graham, Kimberly Frances

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.