Mind After Midnight

NCT07438912 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: R01MH135978
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study examines whether wakefulness during the biological night (2:00-4:00 AM) is associated with increased negative mood, impaired decision-making, and suicidal thoughts. Adults with a history of suicidal ideation in the past six months will complete laboratory and home-based assessments under varying levels of sleep pressure. Participants will be evaluated during late-night wakefulness and under conditions of both higher and lower sleep pressure. The goal of the study is to better understand the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may contribute to elevated suicide risk during nocturnal wakefulness.

Conditions

Suicidal Ideation; Circadian Rhythm Disorders; Sleep Deprivation; Sleep Wake Disorders

Keywords

Nocturnal Wakefulness; Suicide Risk; Circadian Misalignment; Impulsivity; Mood Regulation; Biological Night; Sleep Pressure; Decision-Making

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Feelings of Hopelessness

  Total score on the BECK Hopelessness scale (BHS)

  Visit 1(day 2, night 2), Visit 2 (day 2, night 2)

• Impaired Executive Function

  BART total score

  Visit 1(day 2, night 2), Visit 2 (day 2, night 2)

• Negative Mood

  PANAS negative affect score

  Visit 1(day 2, night 2), Visit 2 (day 2, night 2)

Study Arms (2)

High Sleep Pressure Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will remain awake until 2:00 AM to induce high homeostatic sleep pressure. During the biological night (2:00-4:00 AM), participants will complete assessments of mood, suicidal ideation, impulsivity, and decision-making under conditions of sustained wakefulness.

Behavioral: Sleep Pressure Manipulation

Low Sleep Pressure Condition

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be allowed to sleep and will be awakened at 2:00 AM to induce lower homeostatic sleep pressure. During the biological night (2:00-4:00 AM), participants will complete assessments of mood, suicidal ideation, impulsivity, and decision-making following sleep and acute awakening.

Behavioral: Sleep Pressure Manipulation

Interventions

Sleep Pressure Manipulation BEHAVIORAL

Participants undergo an experimental manipulation of homeostatic sleep pressure involving controlled wakefulness or scheduled awakening during the biological night. Mood, suicidal ideation, impulsivity, and decision-making are assessed during overnight laboratory sessions.

High Sleep Pressure Condition; Low Sleep Pressure Condition

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 55 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18-55 years
• History of suicidal ideation within the past 6 months
• Habitual bedtime between 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM
• Habitual wake time between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM
• Ability to provide informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Current suicidal intent requiring immediate clinical intervention
• Diagnosis of a primary sleep disorder (e.g., untreated obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy)
• Bipolar disorder or psychotic disorder
• Substance use disorder within the past 3 months
• Use of medications that significantly affect sleep or circadian rhythms
• Night shift work or transmeridian travel within the past month
• Medical or neurological condition that would interfere with participation
• Pregnancy

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Arizona: lead
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Arizona - Center for Sleep, Circadian, and Neuroscience Research

Tucson, Arizona, 85724, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Suicidal Ideation; Chronobiology Disorders; Sleep Deprivation; Sleep Wake Disorders; Impulsive Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Suicide; Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Nervous System Diseases; Dyssomnias; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Michael A Grandner, PhD

  University of Arizona

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Denisse Armenta

CONTACT

5206261737; armentamd@arizona.edu

Darilyn Rivera-Collazo, MS

CONTACT

5206264746; darilyn@arizona.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This study is open-label. Participants and study personnel are aware of the assigned sleep pressure condition (high sleep pressure or low sleep pressure), as the experimental manipulation involves remaining awake or being awakened during the biological night.
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor of Psychiatry

Model Details: Participants will complete laboratory assessments under two experimental sleep pressure conditions in a within-subject crossover design. In one condition, participants will remain awake until 2:00 AM (high sleep pressure). In the other condition, participants will sleep and be awakened at 2:00 AM (low sleep pressure). Mood, suicidal ideation, and decision-making will be assessed during the biological night under both conditions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 11, 2026
• First Posted: February 27, 2026
• Study Start: March 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 28, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2029
• Last Updated: February 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)