Current Studies
Napping in the Scanner: Explorative Study of Glymphatic Clearance Using MRI Biomarkers
This research, funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H, Alsop lead PI), will study how sleep affects the brain's ability to clear away, by a fluid circulation process called the “glymphatic system”, naturally occurring waste. Protein particle waste may circulate in this brain fluid forming clumps that are linked to the risk for developing brain disorders. Despite growing evidence of the glymphatic system's importance, there is currently no clinically established safe method to measure its function in people, and little is known about how sleep disruption influences how it works. This study addresses this gap by investigating how sleep quality and duration impact glymphatic clearance, comparing brain activity during an afternoon nap following a normal night of sleep versus a night of sleep restriction. Findings from this research could contribute to the development of new imaging techniques for assessing glymphatic function and its role in brain health.
This study is open for enrollment.
RECOVER-SLEEP
RECOVER-SLEEP is a clinical trial that is part of the NIH RECOVER Initiative, focusing on sleep disturbances associated with Long COVID and involving two sub studies. RECOVER-SLEEP Hypersomnia aims to treat daytime sleepiness Long COVID symptoms through the use of a wake-promoting drug. RECOVER-SLEEP Complex Sleep Disturbances (CPSD) aims to treat Long COVID symptoms involving difficulties falling or staying asleep and an irregular sleep-wake schedule through the use of melatonin, light therapy, and an individualized sleep plan.
RECOVER Clinical Trials | SLEEP
Open for enrollment. This study will close to enrollment in December 2025.
Characterizing non-restorative sleep in post-viral disease to advance intervention innovations
This observational study, funded by the Open Medicine Foundation, seeks to characterize non-restorative sleep in Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). During the three-day overnight hospital stay in the Clinical Research Center, patients with Long COVID or ME/CFS, along with healthy controls, undergo hourly blood draws to establish 24-hour ACTH, melatonin, and cortisol circadian profiles and to track the presence of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), complete polysomnography with EEG, nap testing, neurocognitive testing, and smell testing. Participants may also have an optional lumbar puncture and skin biopsy to measure orexin and alpha-synuclein.
Pioneering Research on Sleep Disturbances in ME/CFS & Long COVID - Open Medicine Foundation
This study is closed for enrollment.
NIH RECOVER: A Multi-site Observational Study of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Adults
NIH RECOVER (Researching Long COVID to Enhance Recovery) is a national, multi-site, longitudinal, observational study aiming to study Long COVID and identify possible treatments for Long COVID symptoms. Participants with and without Long COVID respond to surveys, complete neurologic and physical tests, and provide biological samples to track the development of Long COVID symptoms over time.
About RECOVER | RECOVER COVID Initiative
This study is closed for enrollment.
RECOVER-ENERGIZE
RECOVER-ENERGIZE is a clinical trial that is part of the NIH RECOVER Initiative involving two sub studies. RECOVER-ENERGIZE Exercise Intolerance aims to treat exercise intolerance associated with Long COVID through a personalized cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program. RECOVER-ENERGIZE Post-Exertional Malaise aims to treat post-exertional malaise (PEM) associated with Long COVID through a structure pacing program.
RECOVER Clinical Trials | ENERGIZE
This study is closed for enrollment.