Investigating links between the brain, sleep and mental health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating brain structure and function in circadian rhythm sleep disorders and links to mental health and performance
IRAS ID
244680
Contact name
Elise Facer-Childs
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Optimal sleep and alignment of biological clocks is vital for optimal health. Disruptions to both biological rhythms and sleep impair daily functioning by impacting on our physical health, such as the immune system, our psychology including mental health, and our capability such as performance.
Internally driven 24 hr biological rhythms are fundamental to almost all organisms on the planet. Individual differences in these ‘circadian’ rhythms are influenced by physiological, genetic and behavioural factors, resulting in an Early, Intermediate or Late circadian phenotype (ECP/ICP/LCP). Early and Late groups are commonly referred to as ‘larks’ or ‘night owls’. At the extreme of the spectrum these differences can result in a clinical diagnosis e.g. delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD) or insomnia, which are often comorbid with mental health issues and poorer cognitive function. There has been little done to understand the neuronal mechanisms of these disorders. This research will investigate whether there are differences in brain structure and function in patients with a sleep disorder (DSWPD or insomnia) and if this is different in the evening compared to morning. The research team will also collect data (through interviews and questionnaires), to examine the relationship between measures of mental health and simple measures of performance (reaction time, grip strength) in these groups. The study will be carried out at the Birmingham University Imaging (BUIC). Structural and functional MRI scans will be performed on sleep disorder patients (n = 35) and compared with a control group of healthy individuals (ethical approval for the control group has been obtained and data collection is in progress). This work is funded by an accelerator fellowship (Wellcome ISSF). The ultimate aim of this research is to understand basic mechanisms in order to inform the development of new interventions to correct sleep/circadian misalignment and improve mental health.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
18/NS/0096
Date of REC Opinion
6 Sep 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion