Understanding changes in molecular rhythms in brain tissue from individuals with psychiatric disorders

Identification of molecular rhythm changes in postmortem tissue from individuals with psychiatric illness

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11191540

This study is looking at how sleep patterns and disruptions might affect people with bipolar disorder and major depression by examining brain tissue to find changes that could help us understand these conditions better and improve treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11191540 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how circadian rhythms and sleep disruptions affect individuals with psychiatric disorders such as bipolar disorder and major depression. By analyzing postmortem brain tissue, the study aims to identify specific molecular changes that occur in the brains of those with these conditions. The researchers will compare the rhythmic expression of genes in different brain regions to uncover patterns that may be linked to psychiatric symptoms. This approach could provide insights into the biological underpinnings of these disorders and inform future treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, major depression, or schizophrenia.

Not a fit: Patients with psychiatric disorders who are not willing to participate in postmortem tissue analysis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic strategies targeting circadian rhythms to improve mental health outcomes for patients with psychiatric disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that analyzing molecular rhythms in postmortem brain tissue can reveal significant insights into psychiatric disorders, indicating a promising avenue for this research.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, 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 bipolar affective disorderbipolar diseaseBipolar Disorderbipolar mood disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.