Understanding how individual neurons encode sleep and wake states
Official title: The Sleep Signature: A Disentangled State in Each Neuron
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10900364 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain cells work during sleep and wakefulness to help us understand sleep better, which could be useful for people with conditions like Alzheimer's and autism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $34,926 |
| NIH project number | 1F31NS134240-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10900364 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with sleep disorders, Alzheimer's disease, or autism spectrum disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any sleep-related issues or neurological conditions may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how individual neurons in the brain encode different states of sleep and wakefulness. By analyzing fast neuronal spike patterns, the study aims to uncover the unique ways that each neuron contributes to our understanding of sleep. The approach involves using microelectrode recordings and machine learning techniques to disentangle the influences of various factors on neuronal activity. This could lead to a deeper understanding of sleep mechanisms and their implications for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and autism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of sleep disorders and lead to improved treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and autism.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding neuronal activity patterns, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schneider, Aidan — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Schneider, Aidan
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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.