Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Treatment to Help Depression in Older Adults at Risk of Suicide
Official title: Multi-site, double-blind, randomized-controlled, efficacy trial of the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction for depression symptoms in older adults with high suicide risk
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11381942 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new behavioral program for older adults with depression and high suicide risk aims to improve sleep and mood and reduce suicidal thoughts after treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,607,470 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137185-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381942 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults 21+ with moderate-to-severe depression and active suicidal ideation or a history of suicide attempt who can engage in behavioral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without significant sleep disruption or those unable to participate in behavioral therapy may experience little or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a behavioral approach called TranS-C to stabilize sleep and daily rhythms in adults 21 and older with moderate-to-severe depression and active suicide risk. The study builds on pilot findings and compares TranS-C to standard care to see if better sleep patterns lead to more durable improvement in depression. It includes adults in hospital-like or clinical settings and tracks depression severity, suicidal thoughts, and any suicidal behaviors for six months after treatment. The trial uses rigorous, double-blind methods and multi-site participation to ensure reliable results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, TranS-C could become a proven tool to help older adults feel less depressed and safer by improving sleep and circadian health.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary pilot data suggested that improving sleep and circadian patterns may enhance depression treatment outcomes, supporting further testing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smagula, Stephen F — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Smagula, Stephen F
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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.