The Neurocognitive Effects of Total and Partial Sleep Deprivation in Younger Adults.

NCT07822009 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: Dnr: 2026-03064-0120230004-H-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to examine how total and partial sleep deprivation affect brain function, cognitive performance, and biomarkers related to stress and inflammation in the same participants using a crossover design. The study will also compare the effects of total and partial sleep deprivation to determine whether these conditions affect the brain and body differently. The findings may improve our understanding of the consequences of sleep deprivation and help inform strategies to reduce its negative impact on health and society.

• How does total versus partial sleep deprivation affect brain activity during rest and cognitive tasks?
• How does sleep deprivation affect functional connectivity between brain networks?
• How does sleep deprivation affect working memory, attention, and executive control?
• How does sleep deprivation affect biomarkers of stress and inflammation, such as cortisol?
• Are changes in brain activity and connectivity associated with changes in cognitive performance and biological markers?
• Can combining MRI-based and non-MRI-based measures provide a more complete picture of the effects of sleep deprivation? Participants will complete three study conditions in a randomized order: Total Sleep Deprivation (TSD): 28 to 32 hours of continuous wakefulness. Partial Sleep Deprivation (PSD): sleep restricted to 4 hours per night for two consecutive nights. Normal Sleep (control condition): a night of habitual sleep without sleep restriction.

Conditions

Sleep Deprivation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Brain functional activity and connectivity (PVT)

  Compare normal sleep to SD (total and partial)

  3 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (24)

• Brain functional activity and connectivity (PVT) - SD

  3 weeks

• Brain functional activity and connectivity (NBACK)

  3 weeks

• Brain functional activity and connectivity (MST)

  3 weeks

• Brain functional activity and connectivity (SST)

  3 weeks

• Brain functional activity and connectivity (EMOREG)

  3 weeks

Other Outcomes (3)

• Faecal samples for evaluation of gut microbiota composition

  1 day

• Levels of neural function markers (e.g. S100B)

  3 weeks

• Physical activity assessed using actigraphy

  3 weeks

Study Arms (3)

Normal sleep

OTHER

Behavioral: Normal sleep

Total Sleep Deprivation

OTHER

Behavioral: Total sleep deprivation

Partial Sleep Deprivation

OTHER

Behavioral: Partial sleep deprivation

Interventions

Total sleep deprivation BEHAVIORAL

No sleep for 28-32 hours.

Total Sleep Deprivation

Partial sleep deprivation BEHAVIORAL

Restriction to 4 hours sleep/night for two consecutive nights.

Partial Sleep Deprivation

Normal sleep BEHAVIORAL

Normal (7-9 hours) sleep, following normal patterns of wakeup and sleep onset.

Normal sleep

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Signed informed consent prior to any study-related procedures.
• Age 20 to 40 years.
• Normal weight at screening, defined as a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.
• Willingness to comply with the study protocol.

You may not qualify if:

• Current diagnosis of a psychiatric or neurological disorder or syndrome.
• Current diagnosis of another medical condition that limits study participation.
• Diagnosed sleep disorder (e.g., insomnia).
• Self-reported poor sleep quality (\>5 on the PSQI).
• Working permanent night shifts or rotating night shifts.
• Use of medications or dietary supplements considered likely to affect the study outcome measures (e.g., melatonin).
• Extremely high perceived stress (\>26 on the PSS).
• Sleep apnea.
• Excessive alcohol consumption (\>9 standard drinks per week or \>3 standard drinks per occasion).
• Extreme morningness or eveningness (\>69 or \<31 on the MEQ).
• Excessive daytime sleepiness (\>10 on the ESS).
• Lifestyle factors that may contribute to fragmented sleep (e.g., being a parent of young children).
• MRI contraindications: claustrophobia; shunts in the head; bullet fragments or metal fragments in the body; metal implants or electrodes in the body; left-handedness; previous head surgery; previous heart surgery; or ingestion of a video capsule that may remain in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Any other reason that, in the opinion of the investigator, makes participation inappropriate.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Örebro University, Sweden: lead

Study Sites (1)

Örebro university

Örebro, Örebro County, 70182, Sweden

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Sleep Deprivation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dyssomnias; Sleep Wake Disorders; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 9, 2026
• First Posted: September 16, 2026
• Study Start: September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Last Updated: September 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Locations

SE (1)