# Imaging neural dynamics at high temporal resolution in sleep and sleep deprivation

> **NIH NIH R00** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS) · 2020 · $248,787

## Abstract

Project Abstract
 Many psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, depression, and autism, are associated with
disrupted sleep. Disrupted sleep may contribute to negative cognitive symptoms, as sleep is crucial for
maintaining and restoring healthy brain function. In particular, the slow (0.1-1 Hz) oscillations characteristic of
deep sleep are thought to play essential roles in the restorative functions of sleep, and these oscillations have
complex spatial properties that may be important for their effects on cognition. However, determining how slow
oscillations influence brain function has been challenging due to our current inability to measure slow
oscillations with spatial precision throughout the whole brain.
 This project exploits the recent development of accelerated multi-slice imaging methods to measure
fast (>0.2 Hz) fMRI signals. This work is centered around an innovative use of accelerated fMRI with
simultaneous EEG to directly measure slow oscillation dynamics throughout the human brain simultaneously,
and use this information to create the first whole-brain maps of slow oscillations. We will first optimize imaging
and analysis methods for localizing slow oscillations. We will then test a hypothesis for how slow oscillations
affect cognitive function: namely, that spatially localized slow oscillations in cortex and thalamus lead to
reorganized information transfer across cortical networks, and thereby influence cognitive function.
 The candidate has expertise in systems neuroscience of arousal regulation, anesthesia pharmacology,
electrophysiology, and signal processing, providing a strong foundation for conducting this advanced imaging
study of sleep states. The K99 will provide necessary training in 1) functional and anatomical MRI; 2)
simultaneous EEG-fMRI during sleep; and 3) human sleep neurophysiology. The research will take place at the
Athinoula A. Martinos Center, a highly collaborative environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for
neuroimaging. The primary mentor Prof. Bruce Rosen will provide mentorship in neuroimaging and in
transitioning to an independent position. In addition, the co-mentor Prof. Robert Stickgold will provide training in
sleep neurophysiology, as well as exposure to clinical contexts of how sleep is affected in psychiatric
disorders, and how disrupted sleep can contribute to cognitive deficits. Additional advice from Dr. Jonathan
Polimeni and Dr. Jeff Duyn on imaging and analysis techniques will ensure high-level training in these
methodological approaches. This methodological and scientific training will enable the candidate both to
successfully complete these aims and to develop an independent research program focused on the systems
neuroscience of sleep and arousal regulation, how sleep circuits and sleep-modulating pharmaceutical agents
influence cortical function, and how sleep deficits lead to disrupted cognition. The results of this research will
contribute to improved methods for ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9849802
- **Project number:** 5R00MH111748-04
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS)
- **Principal Investigator:** Laura Diane Lewis
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $248,787
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-11 → 2021-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9849802

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9849802, Imaging neural dynamics at high temporal resolution in sleep and sleep deprivation (5R00MH111748-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9849802. Licensed CC0.

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