Clock Misalignment for Sleep Deprivation
(N-Sync Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial aims to explore how sleep patterns affect metabolism, particularly when sleep is reduced. Researchers will examine the impact of various light exposure patterns and meal timings on food processing in the body. Participants will join different groups, including those with regular light and meal schedules and those with altered ones, such as central clock misalignment and peripheral misalignment. Ideal candidates for the trial sleep 7-9 hours a night and maintain a stable weight, without major health conditions or sleep disorders. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research on sleep and metabolism.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
Yes, you will need to stop taking prescription medications (except oral contraceptives) at least one month before and during the in-lab visits.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that disrupting the body's internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, can impact health in various ways. Studies on central clock misalignment, such as exposure to light at night, suggest it can cause sleep problems and increase health risks. For example, exposure to light at night and insufficient light in the morning can disrupt sleep schedules, impair daytime functioning, and potentially lead to health issues.
Similarly, peripheral misalignment, which occurs when most food is consumed at night, can also affect the body. Research indicates it can cause metabolic problems, altering how the body processes food and uses energy. This misalignment can exacerbate the effects of sleep loss and may lead to issues like obesity or heart disease.
These findings come from previous studies. The current trial examines these effects more closely, but earlier studies provide insight into expected safety and possible side effects.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how altering circadian rhythms can affect sleep deprivation. Unlike typical treatments that might involve medication or behavioral therapy, this trial focuses on clock misalignment techniques. One approach shifts food intake to nighttime, affecting peripheral oscillators, while another uses light exposure to misalign the central clock. These methods could offer new insights into how our internal clocks impact sleep, potentially leading to innovative ways to manage sleep-related issues.
What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for sleep deprivation?
Research has shown that disrupting the body's internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, can significantly affect health. In this trial, participants will experience different types of clock misalignment. Some will undergo central clock misalignment. Studies reveal that altering sleep patterns with light exposure can disturb the body's natural rhythms and influence stress hormone levels, potentially impacting overall health and metabolism.
Others will experience peripheral misalignment, where eating during nighttime hours can raise blood pressure and interfere with normal body functions. This type of disruption is also linked to mood changes and a higher risk of conditions like obesity and heart disease. Both types of disruption in this trial will help illustrate how altering the body's natural schedule can have wide-ranging health effects.24678Who Is on the Research Team?
Christopher Depner, PhD
Principal Investigator
University of Utah
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for healthy adults aged 18-35 with a BMI of 18.5-24.9 who usually sleep 7-9 hours nightly. It's not suitable for those outside this age and BMI range or with different sleeping habits.Inclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Monitoring
Participants undergo a ~2-week ambulatory real-world monitoring segment prior to each in-lab sleep restriction condition
Treatment
Participants complete three arms of 5 nights of experimental sleep restriction under different conditions, followed by a constant routine protocol
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including an intravenous glucose tolerance test to analyze insulin sensitivity
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Central Clock Misalignment
- Peripheral Misalignment
Trial Overview
The study examines how light exposure and meal timing affect metabolism when sleep is reduced, involving surveys, medical tests, and three overnight stays at the clinic over a period of 4 to 6 months.
How Is the Trial Designed?
3
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
(Arm "C")-Misalignment of peripheral oscillators by shifting the majority of food intake to the nighttime hours.
(Arm "B")-Misalignment of the central clock by nighttime electrical light exposure and dim-light in morning hours.
(Arm "A")-Control condition with central and peripheral aligned circadian rhythms
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of Utah
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Influence of Sleep Deprivation and Circadian Misalignment on ...
The current findings show that acute total sleep deprivation and chronic circadian misalignment have opposite effects on cortisol levels and that chronic ...
Long-lasting effects of disturbing the circadian rhythm or ...
Here, we will review the evidence that disruptions in circadian rhythmicity during adolescence have effects that persist into adulthood.
Circadian rhythm disruption and mental health
Early studies reported that BD patients have a 'fast running' circadian clock, likely leading to chronic circadian disruption; treatment with ...
Mistimed sleep disrupts circadian regulation of the human ...
We show that delaying sleep by 4 h for 3 consecutive days leads to a sixfold reduction of circadian transcripts in the human blood transcriptome to just 1%.
Nighttime Synchrony of Your Nutrition and Circadian Health
Each arm will consist of 5 nights of experimental sleep restriction followed by a constant routine protocol for assessment of 24-h rhythms.
Disturbance of the Circadian System in Shift Work and Its ...
This misalignment of endogenous rhythms with the shifted sleep-wake cycle means that shift workers must perform their tasks and sleep at incongruous biological ...
The effects of daylight saving time and clock ...
DST-induced sleep misalignment may increase risks of road accidents, health issues, and reduced daily functioning and seems to be more pronounced in vulnerable ...
8.
neurologylive.com
neurologylive.com/view/vulnerable-populations-impact-time-changes-sleep-disruptionVulnerable Populations and the Impact of Time Changes ...
This shift can negatively impact sleep health by reducing total sleep duration, altering circadian rhythms, and increasing sleep fragmentation.
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