# Pathophysiology of Circadian Rhythm Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · 2023 · $698,443

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD) is a circadian rhythm disorder that impacts millions of Americans
resulting in adverse health and performance consequences. Patients with DSWPD often obtain insufficient sleep
during the work/school week due to difficulties falling asleep and awakening at socially required times, and
patients present with excessive sleepiness that significantly interferes with daytime function. Current practice
parameter guidelines and metanalyses consider existing treatment strategies for DSWPD, include morning light
exposure, evening exogenous melatonin and chronotherapy to be ineffective/“weak” perhaps due to limited
understanding of DWSPD pathophysiology and compliance. The overall goal of this proposal is to improve our
understanding of DSWPD pathophysiology, which will inform development of new circadian based treatment
strategies to improve the health, performance, and well-being of patients with DSWPD. We will conduct
ambulatory and baseline circadian phase assessments prior to two in-lab circadian protocols to address our
aims: 1) a constant routine protocol to precisely assess the circadian amplitude and phase of central and
peripheral circadian rhythms, and 2) a nighttime light exposure protocol to examine cognitive and physiological
responses. We will also determine if circadian phase can be accurately predicted in patients with DSWPD using
a novel biomarker of circadian phase. Preliminary data from our basic human circadian and clinical trial research
set the stage for this proposal. Our overall goal and aims support the NIH Precision Medicine Initiative, the 2021
National Institutes of Health Sleep Research Plan, and the NHLBI Strategic Vision plan.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10660495
- **Project number:** 1R01HL159647-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- **Principal Investigator:** Kenneth P Wright
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $698,443
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-08-15 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10660495

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10660495, Pathophysiology of Circadian Rhythm Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder (1R01HL159647-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10660495. Licensed CC0.

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