Impact of restricted sleep on brain blood health in men and women

Sex-specific Effect of Restricted Sleep on Brain Health

Not applicable Interventional University of Missouri-Columbia · NCT05920759

This study is testing how not getting enough sleep affects blood flow in the brain for both men and women.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment20 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 45 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Missouri-Columbia Academic / other
Locations1 site (Columbia, Missouri)
Trial IDNCT05920759 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to compare the effects of restricted sleep on cerebral blood flow in healthy men and women. Participants will undergo two study visits where their cerebral blood flow velocity will be measured using Transcranial Doppler (TCD) under controlled conditions after normal and restricted sleep. The study seeks to determine if morning cerebral blood flow velocity is higher after a night of normal sleep compared to restricted sleep and whether this effect differs between sexes. The findings could inform future studies on how sleep and exercise modifications impact brain health and cerebrovascular risks.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy adults aged 18-45 with a BMI between 18-30 who do not use nicotine and are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or those on medications affecting sleep or cardiovascular health may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to better understanding of how sleep affects brain health, potentially guiding interventions to reduce stroke risk.

How similar studies have performed: While studies on sleep and brain health exist, this specific investigation into sex-specific effects of sleep restriction on cerebral blood flow is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy adult men and women, 18-45 years of age, BMI 18-30 kg/m2, non-pregnant, non-breastfeeding, and non-nicotine users

Exclusion Criteria:

* any medications known to affect sleep, autonomic, metabolic, or cardiovascular health, have a self-reported history of hepatic, renal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, or neurological disease, stroke or neurovascular disease, bleeding/clotting disorders, sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, diabetes, history of alcoholism or substance abuse, major cardiovascular event or surgical procedure within the past three months, or hypertension

Where this trial is running

Columbia, Missouri

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cerebrovascular Circulation
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.