Understanding how chronic stress affects brain restoration processes
Official title: Disruption of restorative processes in chronic stress: An integrated cellular approach
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11015923 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how long-term stress affects the brain and how sleep helps repair it, especially by understanding how brain cells work together to clean up waste and keep connections strong, with the goal of finding better ways to help people dealing with stress-related issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | January 25, 2024 |
| Project end | October 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $616,728 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AT012707-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11015923 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic stress or related conditions, such as anxiety or substance abuse.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing chronic stress or related disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular mechanisms that are disrupted by chronic stress, which can lead to a decline in brain health and quality of life. It focuses on the restorative processes that occur during sleep, particularly how astrocytes and neurons interact to clear metabolic waste and regulate synaptic strength. By studying these processes in detail, the research aims to uncover new insights that could improve treatment options for individuals suffering from the effects of chronic stress. The approach includes observing brain activity patterns and their relationship with noradrenaline levels during sleep.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for chronic stress and its associated health risks.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in understanding the effects of stress on brain function, but this specific approach focusing on cellular mechanisms during sleep is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cirelli, Chiara — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Cirelli, Chiara
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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.