Researchers at Maynooth University’s Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research are engaged in mental health research using cutting-edge sleep monitoring technology to study sleep timing and body clock changes in people suffering from bipolar disorder.

The innovative study called AMBIENT-BD will collect information on sleep timing and daily circadian rhythms over an extended period of time to provide a clearer picture than previous studies of the complexity of daily circadian rhythms in individuals with bipolar disorder.

The researchers, Dr Cathy Wyse, Dr Lorna Lopez based in Maynooth’s Department of Biology, and Prof Andrew Coogan, a behavioural neuroscientist at Maynooth’s Department of Psychology, are collaborating in the international consortium study, which is based at University of Edinburgh led by Prof Daniel Smith, chair of psychiatry. The Maynooth researchers are part of a team of 19 researchers in the five-year study funded by Wellcome.

Prof Coogan welcomed the launch of the study saying: “Exploring the intricate interplay between sleep timing, daily circadian rhythms and bipolar disorder is a crucial step towards a deeper understanding of this complex condition.

“Maynooth University’s collaboration in the AMBIENT-BD study will harness cutting-edge technology, allowing us to delve into the nuances of sleep timing changes that may significantly impact individuals with bipolar disorder. This pioneering research, made possible by the generous support of Wellcome, holds the promise of uncovering vital insights that could redefine how we approach and treat this challenging mental health condition.” 

Prof Smith of the University of Edinburgh said: “We are delighted to be working on this important project with the team at Maynooth, given their expertise in body clock research in mental health”.

Director of the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research at Maynooth, Prof Paul Moynagh, commented: “The AMBIENT-BD project represents an excellent example of the research the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health seeks to promote, in that it is an international multidisciplinary collaboration aimed at advancing a key challenge in mental health.”