NCT07441265

Does Circadian Misalignment Have Sex-Specific Effects on Metabolism?

Role of Biological Sex in Metabolic Responses to Night Work

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 36 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Brigham and Women's Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 40 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This study will test whether biological sex influences how the body responds to circadian misalignment-a mismatch between the internal body clock and the timing of sleep and eating (as can occur with shift work or jet lag). Researchers will examine how circadian misalignment affects appetite regulation (hunger/fullness) and glucose metabolism (blood sugar control), and whether these effects differ between females and males. Findings may help inform more personalized shift work schedules and targeted strategies to reduce metabolic health risks and sex-related differences in clinical care.

Detailed description

This study will examine whether biological sex affects how the body responds to circadian misalignment-a mismatch between a person's internal body clock and their sleep/wake and eating schedule (similar to what can happen with night shift work, jet lag, or frequently changing sleep schedules). Researchers will measure how circadian misalignment influences appetite regulation (such as hunger and fullness) and glucose metabolism (how the body controls blood sugar), and whether these effects differ between females and males. By identifying sex-specific responses to circadian misalignment, this research may help guide the development of safer, more personalized shift work schedules and targeted strategies to reduce metabolic health risks, with the goal of improving clinical care and reducing sex-related differences in metabolic disease risk.

Conditions

• Circadian Misalignment
• Sex Differences

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Day shift	Research participants will be assigned to day shift condition in which sleep-wake and meal schedules are aligned with the internal circadian system
BEHAVIORAL	Night shift	Research participants will be assigned to simulated night shift condition in which sleep-wake and meal schedules are misaligned with the internal circadian system

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-10-01
• Primary completion: 2030-09-30
• Completion: 2030-09-30
• First posted: 2026-02-27
• Last updated: 2026-02-27

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States