Project Grant R01DK146265

Project Grant Award Summary

Brigham & Women's Hospital Inc., operating under its Department of Faulkner Pathology, received a $894,808 Project Grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) under the Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research program (CFDA 93.847). The award, effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031, supports a five-year research initiative investigating sex differences in the adverse metabolic effects of shift work and circadian misalignment. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding how biological sex influences the metabolic consequences of night shift work, which disproportionately increases risks of obesity and diabetes in both male and female workforces.

The project deliverables consist of controlled laboratory research examining sex-specific mechanisms through which circadian misalignment disrupts metabolic function. Primary research objectives include evaluating appetite-regulating hormones in women versus men, assessing glucose control impairment across sexes, and determining whether circadian misalignment increases homeostatic appetite in women while increasing hedonic appetite (cravings) in men. Secondary research will explore food-related neurocognitive control differences. Successful completion of this research is intended to generate evidence-based findings that support the development of sex-specific interventions and clinical strategies to mitigate health risks associated with shift work schedules.