Using a sleep and body‑clock treatment to lower depression and suicide risk in older adults
Official title: Multi-site, double-blind, randomized-controlled, efficacy trial of the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction for depression symptoms in older adults with high suicide risk
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11178660 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Seeing whether a behavioral program that stabilizes sleep and daily body clocks helps adults 21+ with moderate-to-severe depression who have active suicidal thoughts or a past suicide attempt.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,559,951 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH137185-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178660 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with moderate-to-severe depression (PHQ‑9 ≥10) who currently have active suicidal ideation and/or a history of a suicide attempt are the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
People with only mild depression, no suicidal thoughts or history, or those without sleep/circadian problems may be less likely to benefit from this specific treatment.
What this research studies
You would be randomly assigned at one of several clinic sites to receive the Transdiagnostic Intervention for Sleep and Circadian Dysfunction (TranS-C) or usual care, with study procedures designed to keep treatment allocation blinded. The team will work with you on behavior-based changes to improve sleep timing and daily rhythms and will track whether those sleep changes actually occur (target engagement). Depression symptoms will be measured before treatment and again six months after treatment using standard rating scales, and suicide-related thoughts and behaviors will be tracked with structured interviews and a composite outcome. The goal is to see whether improving sleep-wake rhythms leads to bigger and longer-lasting drops in depression symptoms and lower rates of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce depression severity and lower suicidal thoughts and behaviors in older adults by improving sleep and circadian rhythms.
How similar studies have gone: Controlled pilot data in older adults with serious mental illness showed promising improvements in sleep-wake stability and more sustained depression responses, but a full multi-site randomized trial is new.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Smagula, Stephen F — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Smagula, Stephen F
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Transdiagnostic Sleep and Circadian Treatment to Help Depression in Older Adults at Risk of Suicide
A new behavioral program for older adults with depression and high suicide risk aims to improve sleep and mood and reduce suicidal thoughts after treatment.
-
Imaging the brain's endocannabinoid system in young people with depression or suicidal behavior
The team will use PET brain scans to measure an enzyme that controls natural cannabis-like chemicals in teens and young adults with depression, some with past suicide attempts.
-
STAY: helping teens stay in care for depression or suicide risk using regular progress check-ins
This project uses regular patient-reported progress check-ins to make care more relevant and help teens with depression or suicide risk stay engaged in treatment.
-
Exploring how endocannabinoid metabolism relates to depression and suicide in young people
This study is looking at how a specific system in the body might affect feelings of sadness and thoughts of suicide in teens aged 12 to 20, focusing on a particular enzyme that could change how we feel and act, with the hope of finding new ways to help those struggling with these issues.
-
Improving treatment retention for minority youth with depression or suicide risk
This study is looking to help young people from diverse backgrounds who are struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide by creating a personalized treatment plan that fits their needs and culture, making it easier for them to stick with their mental health care.
-
Using an AI assistant to screen for suicide, depression, and anxiety
This study is testing a new app called Clairity™ that uses smart technology to help spot signs of suicide, depression, and anxiety by listening to how people talk, making it easier for schools and healthcare providers to support those who might need help.
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.