The effects of early sleep disruption on brain development in infants

Early Sleep Disruption and Neurodevelopmental Trajectories in Infancy

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10903630

This study looks at how sleep problems in babies, especially those with a family history of autism, can impact their brain development and growth, hoping to find ways to help them get the support they need early on.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10903630 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how early sleep disturbances affect brain development and developmental outcomes in infants, particularly those at risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By examining sleep metrics such as sleep latency and efficiency, the study aims to understand their relationship with brain connectivity and later developmental trajectories. The research will utilize data from existing longitudinal studies to track sleep patterns and brain function in infants, especially those with siblings diagnosed with ASD. This approach seeks to identify early markers of ASD and improve early intervention strategies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include infants under 2 years of age, particularly those who have siblings diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Not a fit: Patients who are older than 2 years or do not have a family history of autism spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved early detection and intervention strategies for infants at risk of developing autism spectrum disorder.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in identifying early markers of autism through the study of sleep and brain connectivity in infants, indicating that this approach is promising.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Autistic Disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.