NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Understanding how sleep quality affects brain health and diseases

Official title: Investigating sleep efficiency mechanism and its impact on diseases

Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11061888 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how sleep quality affects brain health, especially for people at risk of Alzheimer's, by exploring the genes that help some individuals sleep better without harming their health, using mice to find new ways to improve sleep and protect the brain.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project startMay 25, 2023
Project endApril 30, 2031
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$607,550
NIH project number5R35NS132160-03
Project IDNIH-11061888 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with a family history of Alzheimer's disease or those experiencing cognitive decline related to aging.

Less likely to help

Patients with sleep disorders unrelated to neurological diseases may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms that regulate sleep quality and efficiency, aiming to understand how these factors influence neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's. By studying individuals with a genetic predisposition for short sleep, the team seeks to identify specific genes and pathways that contribute to better sleep efficiency without negative health impacts. The research utilizes mouse models to explore the relationship between sleep and brain health, potentially revealing new targets for treatment. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance our understanding of sleep's role in cognitive function and disease prevention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving sleep quality, which may help reduce the risk or severity of neurological diseases.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the genetic factors influencing sleep efficiency, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California, San Francisco
    San Francisco, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Fu, Ying-Hui — University of California, San Francisco
  • Study coordinator: Fu, Ying-Hui

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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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.