Exploring New Strategies for Keeping Sleep-Deprived Warfighters Alert
Date: February 12, 2025
Research teams in the U.S. military are investigating innovative methods for enhancing the alertness and performance of warfighters operating on a mere three hours of sleep daily. This initiative is particularly relevant given the demanding nature of military operations, where soldiers frequently face severe sleep deprivation.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has made a public announcement regarding their upcoming Relieve Sleep Deprivation with Optimized Rest Environments (RESTORE) program, aimed at leveraging advanced technologies to manage sleep effectively.
Objective of the RESTORE Program
The RESTORE program is designed to explore advanced control mechanisms for both macro- and micro-sleep architectures, aiming to maximize cognitive performance even under extreme conditions of sleep deprivation. This is crucial for warfighters who typically receive significantly less sleep during operational scenarios.
Existing civilian treatments focus on helping individuals with sleep disorders achieve healthy patterns of sleep, striving for a restorative seven to eight hours each night. However, military personnel often face realities requiring adaptation to much shorter sleep durations.
Technological Innovations
RESTORE aims to enhance sleep efficiency through non-invasive neuromodulation approaches, enabling personnel to maintain cognitive function during times of critical alertness. While DARPA has not yet released a formal call for proposals regarding the RESTORE initiative, they are currently gathering information and preparing for future phases.
Previously, DARPA initiated the Alert WARfighter Enablement (AWARE) project, which seeks to develop a blend of pharmacological solutions and optical devices to assist warfighters in remaining alert, minimizing negative side effects commonly experienced with traditional stimulants.
Combination of Stimuli and Pharmacological Solutions
AWARE intends to create a novel version of dextroamphetamine, known as a photoswitchable variant, which would remain inactive until activated by near-infrared light. This approach aims to stimulate specific neural pathways while avoiding the brain structures associated with mood disruptions and addiction risks.
The AWARE project encompasses multiple developmental phases and technical areas, focusing on the production of the photoswitchable drug and the auxiliary near-infrared light devices.
Call to Action
DARPA is inviting interested parties to reach out via email for clarifications regarding the upcoming RESTORE initiative. For more information, stakeholders can refer to the DARPA opportunity page.
As military operations continue to demand greater adaptability from service members, these advancements in sleep management may prove vital in ensuring ongoing cognitive performance under extreme conditions.
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