Understanding how sleep is controlled in tiny worms

Mechanisms of Sleep Regulation in C. elegans

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · NIH-10910105

This study is looking at how tiny worms sleep when they're stressed, hoping to learn more about the basic ways sleep works, which could help us understand sleep in people too.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON (nih funded)
Locations1 site (MADISON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10910105 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms that regulate sleep using the model organism C. elegans, a type of tiny worm. By focusing on how cellular stress activates specific signaling pathways in a single neuron to induce sleep, the study aims to uncover fundamental genetic and neural processes involved in sleep regulation. The approach involves observing behavioral changes in these worms under stress conditions to gain insights that may be applicable to understanding sleep in more complex organisms, including humans.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals suffering from sleep disorders or related neurological conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have sleep-related issues or neurological disorders may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights into sleep disorders and potential treatments for improving sleep quality in humans.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using simple model organisms have shown success in uncovering basic mechanisms of sleep regulation, suggesting that this approach is promising.

Where this research is happening

MADISON, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.