28/07/2026
Ottawa, Ontario — Tuesday July 28, 2026
In a new study led by Jean-Philippe Chaput, researchers examined whether changing sleep duration could alter levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein involved in brain and metabolic health. Because BDNF plays a role in processes such as glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity, it may provide clues about how sleep influences diabetes risk.
“Sleep is one of the most accessible health behaviours we can improve, yet we’re still uncovering the many ways it affects the body. What makes this finding so interesting is that a relatively small increase in sleep produced measurable biological changes in adolescents at elevated risk for type 2 diabetes, giving us new clues about how sleep may influence metabolic health.” – Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput
In a clinical trial involving 36 adolescents with severe obesity and heightened risk of diabetes, participants underwent periods of normal, longer, and shorter sleep time. Because BDNF is often associated with positive health outcomes, researchers expected more sleep to increase these levels. Instead, they found the opposite. After the longer sleep period, BDNF levels dropped by approximately 14 per cent compared with both other study periods.
Previous research from this trial found that sleeping longer also improved insulin sensitivity – so researchers suggest the higher levels of BDNF seen in the shorter sleep cycle may be a response to the body’s physiological stress during insufficient sleep.
The findings provide new clues about the complex relationship between sleep, metabolism, and brain health. Future studies will help researchers better understand the biological pathways and how sleep could be used to support the health of young people at risk for type 2 diabetes.