# Circadian and sleep pathways to cardiometabolic disease risk: role of neurobehavioral processes

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $468,540

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
It is reported that 1/3rd of Americans have bedtimes after midnight, which may increase risk for
cardiometabolic disease due to misalignment of the sleep period relative to the internal
circadian rhythm and short sleep duration. Given the relationship between circadian alignment
and disruptions in eating behaviors and insulin resistance, this study will build on our previous
work by examining the neurobehavioral and dietary mechanisms that link late sleep to increased
cardiometabolic risk. There is strong evidence that late sleep timing is associated with individual
differences in neurobehavioral processes, such reduced ability to delay gratification and
impulsivity. We propose a model in which circadian misalignment affects neurobehavioral
processes and eating behaviors that increase cardiometabolic risk. In this model, exposure to
short sleep duration is a moderator of these relationships. A limitation of previous research on
circadian alignment is that most have been conducted as short term experiments in highly
controlled laboratory settings and little attention has been paid to behavioral mechanisms.
Therefore, the overarching goal of our research is to elucidate the behavioral and biological
mechanisms of cardiometabolic risk among individuals with late sleep timing living under
naturalistic conditions. We will to test our model of neurobehavioral vulnerability among late
sleepers in a 12-month longitudinal study of 100 overweight or obese adults with late sleep
timing (bedtime at 12:00 am or later). Participants will complete metabolic, sleep, diet and
circadian assessments at baseline, 6 and 12 months. We will conduct neurobehavioral and
eating assessments in the morning and evening to evaluate the role of time of day in
neurobehavioral and eating behaviors. The aims of this study are 1. To determine the role of
circadian alignment with and without short sleep duration on neurobehavioral processes,
dietary behaviors and cardiometabolic risk factors, 2. To determine if time of day impacts
neurobehavioral measures and dietary behaviors among overweight individuals with late
sleep timing, and 3. To determine how circadian misalignment predicts changes in
cardiometabolic risk over 12 months. We will test neurobehavioral measures and sleep
duration as moderators of the effects of circadian misalignment in longitudinal models. Results
of this study will advance knowledge of the complex relationship between sleep/circadian
rhythms and cardiometabolic risk in terms of both biological and behavioral contributors, thus
providing the basis for new behavioral and environmental interventions targeted to align
circadian rhythms and modify neurobehavioral processes among individuals with late sleep
timing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9858425
- **Project number:** 5R01HL141706-02
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelly Glazer Baron
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $468,540
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9858425

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9858425, Circadian and sleep pathways to cardiometabolic disease risk: role of neurobehavioral processes (5R01HL141706-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9858425. Licensed CC0.

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