Understanding Sleep Problems and Headaches After Mild Brain Injury
Official title: Role of Sleep Disruption after mTBI as a Driver of Chronic Post-traumatic Headache
Funded at Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res · NIH-11126814 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how sleep problems after a mild brain injury might lead to long-lasting headaches, hoping to find new ways to help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $600,438 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129573-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126814 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for patients who experience persistent migraine-like headaches and sleep problems following a mild traumatic brain injury.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose headaches are not related to a mild traumatic brain injury or sleep disruption may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Many people experience migraine-like headaches and sleep difficulties after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but we don't fully understand why. This project looks at how sleep disruption, which is a common trigger for migraines, might contribute to these post-traumatic headaches. We believe that a brain cleaning system, called the glymphatic system, which works best during sleep, might be impaired after an mTBI and play a role in these headaches. By studying this connection, we hope to discover new treatments that could restore this system and reduce headache symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that reduce or prevent chronic post-traumatic headaches by addressing sleep disruption and brain function.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in mice suggest that a specific treatment can improve brain cleaning function and reduce post-traumatic headache symptoms.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iliff, Jeffrey J — Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
- Study coordinator: Iliff, Jeffrey J
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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.