Bradley Hospital Researchers Study How Sleep Impacts Childhood Achievement

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six in 10 middle school students in the US may not be getting enough sleep on school nights. Bradley Hospital researchers are studying how lack of sleep impacts learning and academic achievement in children. Children aged nine to 13 years old, especially those with a family history of Alzheimer’s Disease, are invited to participate in a sleep study.

During the study, children will participate in a range of activities, including completing routine forms and questionnaires, following a set sleep schedule at home, having daily calls to the lab and keeping a written sleep journal, wearing a wrist-worn sleep monitor, and attending one MRI session at Brown University. In addition, they will spend three nights at the EP Providence Bradley Hospital Sleep Research Lab in Providence, which is designed to be a fun, camp-like experience where participants learn about the science of sleep. Participants' sleep will be recorded, and they will complete computerized tests when awake. Trained research staff will monitor them at all times, ensuring their safety and comfort. When not engaged in study tasks, there is time to play games and watch movies.

One aspect of the study is the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to take detailed pictures of the brain. MRI is a safe and non-invasive method that does not use X-rays or radiation. It is FDA-approved for use in children, and the Bradley Hospital team is experienced in ensuring a positive experience for all participants. Plus, each participant will leave with a souvenir image of their brain.

For more information about participating, call 401-421-9440.