The impact of sleep on sepsis in mice
Official title: Goodnight mouse: sleep and sepsis
Funded at Mercer University Macon · NIH-11013463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting enough sleep can help the immune system fight infections like sepsis, especially in hospital settings, and aims to find ways to improve sleep for patients to help them recover better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mercer University Macon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Macon, United States) |
| Project start | April 6, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $354,464 |
| NIH project number | 7R15HL159554-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013463 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who are experiencing sepsis or are at high risk for developing sepsis, particularly those in hospital settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not hospitalized or do not have conditions related to sepsis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how sleep affects the immune response to infections, particularly in the context of sepsis, a severe condition that can lead to organ failure. The study will explore how interruptions to sleep in a hospital setting may worsen sepsis outcomes in mice, aiming to uncover the underlying mechanisms of this relationship. By understanding these effects, the research hopes to lay the groundwork for future studies that could improve sleep quality for septic patients, potentially leading to better recovery outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving sleep in septic patients, which may enhance their recovery and reduce mortality rates.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific intersection of sleep and sepsis in humans is less explored, prior studies in animal models have shown that sleep disruption can worsen sepsis outcomes, indicating a promising area for further investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Mercer University Macon
Macon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walker, Wendy Elizabeth — Mercer University Macon
- Study coordinator: Walker, Wendy Elizabeth
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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.