The Neurobiology of Narcolepsy

Dr. Thomas Scammell, associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, is presenting an invited lecture this afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time on the subject of the “Neurobiology of Narcolepsy.”

Scammel is studying mice to gain a detailed understanding of the neurobiology of orexin, hoping that this will contribute to the development of effective therapies for patients with narcolepsy and enhance the understanding of sleep.

In April his study, “Feeding-elicited cataplexy in orexin knockout mice” was published online ahead of print in the journal Neuroscience. In the Jan. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP Scammel published, “A consensus definition of cataplexy in mouse models of narcolepsy.”

In May the Sleep Education Blog reported on an important new genetic study, which suggests that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder. Read the full report.

Sleep in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Dr. Anne Germain, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, is presenting an invited lecture on “Sleep in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder” until 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Topics being discussed include sleep disorders reported by patients with PTSD and effective pharmacological and behavioral treatments for sleep disturbances in PTSD.

The AASM reports that nightmares tend to be the most disturbing symptom of PTSD. In these dreams patients may relive a traumatic event in a way that seems shockingly real. View other common signs of PTSD.

In January the Sleep Education Blog reported that the U.S. Defense Department rejected the idea of awarding Purple Hearts to soldiers who have PTSD. Read the full report.

Lecture Addresses Sleep & the Military

Invited lecturer Dr. Thomas J. Balkin, chief of the department of behavioral biology at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, is speaking this afternoon on “Science for the Sleepy Soldier.” He is focusing on the problems faced by soldiers during continuous military operations.

Earlier this year the U.S. Army Medical Command proposed changes to current Army sleep guidelines. The draft proposal recommends that U.S. soldiers in combat zones get seven to eight hours of sleep each night; current guidelines suggest that soldiers get at least four hours of sleep each day when deployed. Read a report on the Sleep Education Blog.

Another report on the Sleep Education Blog indicates that the U.S. Navy is taking a high-tech approach in addressing issues related to sleep cycles and sleep deprivation. It is testing the Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool software, or FAST. This system helps predict performance over time based on sleep and work schedules. Read the full report.

Invited Lectures Headline SLEEP 2009 Scientific Program

At SLEEP 2009 from Monday, June 8, to Wednesday, June 10, nine experts in sleep science and sleep medicine will present their recent research findings as invited lectures. Each presentation will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pacific Time on the day scheduled:

Monday, June 8

“Science for the Sleepy Soldier” by Thomas J. Balkin, PhD

“Glial Modulation of Sleep” by Philip G. Haydon, PhD

“Neural Injury in Sleep Apnea: Fixing What You Can Patient by Patient” by Sigrid C. Veasey, MD

Tuesday, June 9

“Polysomnography: What Does it Accomplish and How Can We Make it Better?” by Ronald D. Chervin, MD

“Sleep in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder” by Anne Germain, PhD

“Neurotransmitters, Organization and Activity of Sleep-wake Neural Systems” by Barbara E. Jones, PhD

Wednesday, June 10

“Improving Treatments for Chronic Insomnia and Sleep Disturbance in Bipolar Disorder” by Allison G. Harvey, PhD

“What Does Circadian Complexity Imply about the Regulation of Sleep” by Michael Menaker, PhD

“Neurobiology of Narcolepsy: What Sleepy Mice can Teach Us about Sleepy People” by Thomas E. Scammell, MD

Note: No invited lectures are scheduled for Thursday, June 11.

Lecturer Discusses Restless Legs Syndrome

This afternoon at SLEEP 2008, invited lecturer Dr. Christopher Earley is giving a presentation entitled, “Restless Legs Syndrome: From the Bed to the Bench and Back Again.” Earley will review the current understanding of RLS and discuss areas of potential for future research.

Earley is associate professor of neurology and associate director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. For more than 15 years his research has focused on RLS.

In 2007 new studies added to the research that is cracking the complex genetic code behind RLS. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, iron, dopamine and genetics appear to be the primary factors in the development of RLS.

RLS involves a strong, almost irresistible urge to move the legs that worsens at night and disturbs your ability to fall asleep or remain asleep. It occurs more often in women than in men.

Invited Lecturers Headline SLEEP 2008 Scientific Program

At SLEEP 2008 from Monday, June 9, to Wednesday, June 11, seven experts in sleep science and sleep medicine will present their recent research findings as invited lecturers. Each presentation will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the day scheduled:

Monday, June 9

“Managing Sleep Apnea – Are We There Yet?” by Ronald R. Grunstein, MD, PhD

“Hypothalamic Regulation of Sleep Onset and Sleep Maintenance” by Ronald S. Szymusiak, PhD

Tuesday, June 10

“Sleep and Circadian Rhythms in Humans: Tales of Translation from the Lab to Practice” by Charles A. Czeisler, PhD, MD

“Treating Insomnia with CBT: Should We Step Up to Stepped Care?” by Colin A. Espie, PhD

“Pediatric Sleep Apnea: A Systemic Inflammatory Disease” by David Gozal, MD

Wednesday, June 11

“Restless Legs Syndrome: From the Bed to the Bench and Back Again” by Christopher J. Earley, MD, PhD

“Not Tonight Honey! - The Effect of Sleepiness on Daily (or Nightly!) Functioning” by Terri E. Weaver, PhD, RN

Note: No invited lectures are scheduled for Thursday, June 12.