Actively Recruiting
Circadian Rhythms and Homeostatic Sleep Drive and Their Effect on Reward and Cognitive Control Systems in Adolescents
Led by University of Pittsburgh · Updated on 2026-04-08
200
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
430 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Pittsburgh
Lead Sponsor
N
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Adolescence is a time of heightened reward sensitivity and greater impulsivity. On top of this, many teenagers experience chronic sleep deprivation and misalignment of their circadian rhythms due to biological shifts in their sleep/wake patterns paired with early school start times, which may increase the risk for substance use (SU). However, what impact circadian rhythm and sleep disruption either together or independently have on the neuronal circuitry that controls reward and cognition, or if there are interventions that might help to modify these disruptions is unknown. Project 1 (P1), specifically examines homeostatic and circadian characteristics as mechanisms linking habitual sleep patterns, reward and cognitive control (at subjective, behavioral, and circuit levels), and longitudinal substance use risk.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Circadian Rhythms and Homeostatic Sleep Drive and Their Effect on Reward and Cognitive Control Systems in Adolescents
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 13-18 years
- Currently enrolled in a traditional high school (except during COVID-19 school closures)
- Physically and psychiatrically healthy
- Provided written informed consent and assent
You will not qualify if you...
- Outside the age range of 13-18 years
- History of alcohol, cannabis, or illicit drug use more than weekly in the past year
- Serious medical or neurological disorders, including seizures
- Serious psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
- Taking antidepressants (except SSRIs/SSNIs) or medications affecting sleep/wake function unless able to discontinue for the study
- Sleep disorders other than insomnia or Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder
- MRI contraindications such as metal in the body or claustrophobia
- First degree relative with bipolar disorder
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Inability to swallow pills or capsules
- Pregnancy
- Observed Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Apnea Hypopnea Index over 5
- Weighing less than 80 lbs or having a BMI over 35
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Western Psychiatric Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, 15213
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
R
Ronette Blake, MS
CONTACT
S
Sarah Aerni
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
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