Irregular sleep timing and sleep deficiency are pervasive in society despite evidence that sleep deficiency impairs cognition and is linked to neurodegenerative disease. Potential pathways underlying the adverse cognitive function and brain health associated with irregular insufficient sleep include misalignment of sleep from the internal \~24-hour body clock and brain oxidative stress. This research will investigate these putative pathways and inform future interventions to mitigate the impact of sleep loss on cognition and brain health.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 40 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Exclusion criteria
. Volunteers must be drug-free (including caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol) for the entire duration of the study, with no history of drug or alcohol dependency.
. Subjects must be free from any significant impairments of the visual system, including color blindness.
. Subjects must be ambulatory, have no major visual or auditory handicaps, and be free from any major acute, chronic or debilitating medical conditions.
. history of psychiatric illnesses or psychiatric disorders
. History of consistent work during the overnight hours for the one year prior to study.
. History of transmeridian travel \>2 times zones, will require a 1 week wash out per hour of time difference from the Eastern Standard/Daylight Time zone.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial is studying how light exposure and sleep deficiency affect brain chemistry — specifically something called glutathione in the prefrontal cortex measured by MRS — is that kind of oxidative stress marker something relevant to my own health situation, and would my doctor think it's worth monitoring?
2Since this trial is listed as 'not yet recruiting,' how long might it realistically be before it opens to participants, and is waiting for it a reasonable option compared to addressing my sleep issues now with available treatments?
3The trial measures circadian phase shifts using melatonin sulfate rhythms — can my doctor explain what that means for me personally, and whether my own sleep patterns suggest my circadian rhythm might already be disrupted in a way this research is studying?
4One of the things being measured is how well people perform on a reasoning task after sleep loss — should I be concerned that participating in a study that deliberately involves sleep deficiency could have short-term effects on my cognitive function or daily responsibilities?
5Since this is listed as Phase NA — meaning it's a research study rather than a treatment trial — my doctor should help me understand whether there's any direct benefit to me as a participant, or whether this would be purely contributing to scientific knowledge about sleep and light exposure, right?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
circadian phase shifts in melatonin sulfate rhythm
Timeframe: Baseline: Day 1 of study, Final: Day 8 of study
2
Accuracy on the matrix reasoning task
Timeframe: Daily over 8 days throughout study intervention
3
WASO on the PSG
Timeframe: Baseline sleep, first short sleep, second short sleep.
4
MRS-derived GSH in the mPFC
Timeframe: Baseline: Day 1 of study, Final: Day 8 of study