Actively Recruiting
Nighttime Synchrony of Your Nutrition and Circadian Health: The N-Sync Study
Led by University of Utah · Updated on 2026-01-22
120
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating how different patterns of light exposure and timing of food intake affect metabolism when sleep is reduced. This randomized, in-lab, cross-over trial focuses on sleep restriction and circadian rhythm alignment to understand impacts on insulin sensitivity and internal biological clocks. The study includes adults aged 18 to 35 years with regular sleep habits and healthy body weight to explore the interaction between sleep, nutrition, and circadian health. Participants will complete three study arms in different orders, each involving 5 nights of sleep restriction under distinct conditions: normal alignment of central and peripheral clocks, misalignment of the central clock by nighttime light exposure, and misalignment of peripheral clocks by shifting food intake to nighttime. Each arm is followed by a detailed assessment of 24-hour biological rhythms and an intravenous glucose tolerance test. Before enrollment, participants undergo sleep disorder screening and a 2-week baseline monitoring period. The study lasts about 4 to 6 months with 6 to 8 in-person visits, including three overnight stays. During the study, participants will complete surveys, medical tests, and overnight clinic visits to measure insulin sensitivity and internal circadian misalignment using specific biomarkers. Researchers will monitor sleep patterns, light exposure, and eating schedules closely. The study tracks how changes in these factors influence metabolism and biological rhythms, aiming to provide insights into the effects of sleep deprivation combined with lifestyle changes. Safety and adherence are monitored throughout the trial period.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Nighttime Synchrony of Your Nutrition and Circadian Health
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Age 18 to 35 years old with equal numbers of men and women
- Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2
- Habitual average total sleep time of 7 to 9 hours per night for the prior 6 months
You will not qualify if you...
- Diagnosed sleep disorder or apnea hypopnea index (AHI) of 5 or higher
- Significant organ system disease such as heart disease or diabetes
- Fasting plasma glucose of 100 mg/dL or higher
- Major psychiatric illness like major depressive disorder
- Cancer in remission less than 5 years
- Shift work within the prior year
- Weight change greater than 5% in the past 6 months
- Currently following a weight-loss program
- Menopause
- Pregnant or nursing
- More than 5-day variation in menstrual cycle length month-to-month
- Current smoking
- Alcohol intake exceeding 14 drinks per week or 3 drinks per day
- Use of prescription medications (except oral contraceptives) within one month before or during in-lab visits
- Use of illegal drugs or consumption of more than 500 mg of caffeine per day
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person) for comprehensive medical history and clinical overnight sleep disorders screening
Duration - ~2 weeks per arm
Participants undergo approximately 2 weeks of ambulatory real-world monitoring before each in-lab sleep restriction condition.
Monitoring is done ambulatory without in-lab visits
Duration - 5 nights per arm
Participants complete 5 nights of experimental sleep restriction under one of three conditions: control with central and peripheral alignment, central clock misalignment, or peripheral misalignment.
In-lab visits during each 5-night sleep restriction segment
Duration - Approximately 1 day per arm
Following each sleep restriction segment, participants complete an intravenous glucose tolerance test and a constant routine protocol to assess 24-hour rhythms.
1 in-lab visit per arm for glucose tolerance test and constant routine assessment
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
College of Health Research Complex - University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112
Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84112
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
V
Victoria Miranda, MS
G
Grace Zimmerman, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
TRIPLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
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