Understanding the biology behind Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD) and new treatment ideas
Official title: Pathophysiology of Circadian Rhythm Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder
Funded at University of Colorado · NIH-11408692 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant aims to understand why some people, including teens and adults, have DSWPD and how to develop better circadian-based treatments to improve sleep and daily functioning.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boulder, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $654,307 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL159647-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11408692 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with DSWPD across adolescence and adulthood who can participate in in-lab sessions, ambulatory monitoring, and biomarker collection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without DSWPD or those unable to adhere to the study protocols may not benefit.
What this research studies
DSWPD disrupts sleep timing and daytime functioning for many people. The project uses in-lab and ambulatory assessments to map central and peripheral circadian rhythms, and to test how nighttime light exposure affects cognition and physiology. It also aims to identify a biomarker that could predict circadian phase in patients with DSWPD. By clarifying the biology, the study hopes to guide new treatment approaches that fit patients’ schedules and improve health and performance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to more effective, personalized treatments for DSWPD and better daytime functioning for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has explored circadian rhythms and treatment options, but this project seeks to advance understanding with new biomarkers and protocols.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado
Boulder, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wright, Kenneth P — University of Colorado
- Study coordinator: Wright, Kenneth P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Circadian control of brain blood vessels in Alzheimer’s disease
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Sleep, circadian rhythms, and the brain’s reward system in teens
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-
Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder: Understanding Why Some People Sleep Late
A study at Northwestern University is exploring why some people with delayed sleep patterns have different light sensitivity and how this affects their sleep timing, with the goal of personalizing treatment for those with DSWPD.
-
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A long-term study at Johns Hopkins will follow people on buprenorphine or methadone to see how sleep quality and daily rhythms relate to ongoing opioid use.
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Exercise timing to reset the brain’s body clock in breast cancer care
A study tests whether exercising at specific times can reset the brain’s circadian clock and potentially improve well-being for people coping with breast cancer.
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Understanding how sleep and body rhythms affect cravings and emotion control for people on opioid treatment
This project looks at how sleep patterns and body clocks influence cravings and emotion regulation in people taking medication for opioid use disorder.
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.