# Project 2: Behavioral Chronotype: Impact on Sleep and Metabolism

> **NIH NIH P01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $366,870

## Abstract

The circadian system is a hierarchical organization with a master pacemaker in the hypothalamus (the SCN) and
peripheral clocks in many, if not all, other tissues. Although the light-dark cycle is the primary external
synchronizer of the SCN, the timing of food intake is a powerful synchronizer of many peripheral clocks. The
connections between the central SCN clock, behavioral rhythms such as sleep-wake and feeding cycles, and
peripheral clocks are not fully understood. These connections therefore constitute a novel, translational research
focus for human health and disease. Our project will examine the effect of interventions to impact peripheral
rhythms through manipulation of feeding. Previous clinical and observational research studies of circadian
rhythms and chronotype indicate that misalignment of central and peripheral clocks has adverse health
consequences, including an increase in cardio-metabolic risk. However, little is known about the impact of aging
on the overall synchronization of central and peripheral clocks, particularly the role of dietary time cues. Age-
related reductions in amplitude and regularity of external and internal synchronizing signals may adversely
impact synchrony of peripheral clocks. Reduced synchrony of peripheral signals may in turn contribute to age-
related changes in sleep homeostasis. Circadian disruption may accelerate metabolic aging, both directly and
indirectly by affecting sleep-wake homeostasis. Conversely, behavioral strategies to optimize circadian
organization may decrease the risk of weight gain, diabetes and their cardiovascular consequences. Our
proposed project focuses on the impact of dietary alignment of peripheral oscillators on cardio-metabolic risk,
sleep quality and the overall synchronization of the circadian system. The overall goal of the project is to
determine whether there is an optimal alignment of eating behavior (“dietary chronotype”) with sleep-wake
behavior (“sleep chronotype”) and the central circadian signal (as assessed via the melatonin onset [DLMO])
that minimizes cardio-metabolic risk in middle-aged (35 – 50 y) and older (55 – 75 y) adults. We will use a 5-day
intervention to test the hypothesis that extending and anchoring the overnight fast, independently from the timing
of daytime food intake, has beneficial effects on cardio-metabolic risk, sleep quality and the alignment of rhythmic
outputs of central and peripheral clocks. This first intervention will be followed by a second intervention that will
test the hypothesis that early versus late timing of daytime dietary intake, without change in the timing or duration
of the overnight fast, have distinct and opposite effects on cardio-metabolic risk, sleep quality and overall
circadian alignment. Diabetes risk will be assessed by a 5-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Nocturnal
blood pressure dipping will be our primary cardiovascular outcome. Slow-wave activity and wake after sleep
onset will be our primary sle...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9969251
- **Project number:** 5P01AG011412-21
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Eve Van Cauter
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $366,870
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9969251

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9969251, Project 2: Behavioral Chronotype: Impact on Sleep and Metabolism (5P01AG011412-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9969251. Licensed CC0.

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