The effects of early sleep disruption on brain development in infants
Official title: Early Sleep Disruption and Neurodevelopmental Trajectories in Infancy
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10903630 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $41,328 |
| NIH project number | 1F31MH135704-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10903630 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include infants under 2 years of age, particularly those who have siblings diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 2 years or do not have a family history of autism spectrum disorder may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chiem, Emily — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Chiem, Emily
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.