Actively Recruiting
Augmented Neurophysiology of Sleep and Performance Readiness Using Wireless Interface Sensor Pod (WISP) and Transcranial Electrical Stimulation
Led by University of Washington · Updated on 2026-05-27
16
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Washington
Lead Sponsor
M
Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating new, contrast-free MRI methods to study the brain's waste clearance system, called the glymphatic system, in young adults aged 18 to 30. The study aims to understand how different brain regions contribute to memory and how poor sleep affects these areas and memory ability. The research also tests whether the Wireless Interface Sensor Pod (WISP), a headband combining brain wave monitoring and transcranial electrical stimulation (TES), can improve brain function after poor sleep. Participants will undergo four weekly in-person visits, each lasting two hours, including one hour of MRI scans and one hour of cognitive testing. Before each visit, they will wear the WISP headband during sleep. For two nights, participants will have restricted sleep of only three hours before waking, with the WISP delivering electrical stimulation on one night and none on the other, without their knowledge. For the other two nights, they will follow normal sleep schedules with the same WISP stimulation pattern. The study compares sleep restriction with and without TES to normal sleep with and without TES. Throughout the study, participants will complete daily journals about their sleep and habits. Researchers will assess brain function using multimodal MRI immediately after each intervention, along with cognitive tests including the Psychomotor Vigilance Task, Go/no go task, Digit Symbol Substitution Test, Digit Span, and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Safety and adherence are monitored, and the total participation lasts about four weeks with weekly visits to the imaging center.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Sleep and Performance
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Physically and psychologically healthy
- Habitual sleep of 6 to 10 hours per night confirmed by questionnaire and sleep diary
- Regular bedtimes with habitual wake time between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM
- Adults aged 18 to 30 years
- Ability to complete study visits and procedures
You will not qualify if you...
- Any non-MRI compatible bioimplant activated by mechanical, electronic, or magnetic means
- Any ferromagnetic bioimplant that could be displaced
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Presence of shrapnel in body or history of metal exposure as metal worker or machinist
- Minors under 18 years
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Inability to follow study protocols or communicate with researchers
- Clinical or psychiatric disorders
- Alcohol or drug abuse history in past year
- Dependence on tobacco, nicotine, or cannabis
- Moderate to severe brain injury history
- Use of antipsychotic medication for ADHD/ADD
- Previous adverse reaction to sleep deprivation
- Vision or hearing impairment unless corrected
- Sleep or circadian disorders
- Use of melatonin within 1 week before enrollment
- Recent travel across more than one time zone or shift work within 3 months
- Epilepsy
AI-Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Each intervention period lasts 1 night
Participants will undergo different sleep conditions including normal sleep or sleep restriction, combined with either active Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (TES) or sham TES using the Wireless Interface Sensor Pod (WISP) device.
Multiple overnight visits depending on crossover assignment
Duration - Assessments occur immediately after each intervention night
Participants complete cognitive performance tasks and undergo multimodal MRI scans immediately after each intervention to assess sleep and brain function.
1 visit immediately post-intervention per treatment period
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Washington School of Medicine
Seattle, Washington, United States, 98125
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Y
Yeilim Cho, MD
M
Maria Tsimpanouli
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
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