Life of the Sleepy Person
7th Triennial Conference
Friday May 2, 2008

Slideshow

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 WELCOME !!!

The University of Illinois Colleges of Nursing and Medicine have joined together to rededicate and expand the Center for Narcolepsy, Sleep and Health Research (formerly the Center for Narcolepsy Research). Our primary goal is to conduct important basic, clinical and bio-behavioral research for improving, preserving or promoting health through good sleep. The Center also aims to continue as an important source of sleep science and health expertise for colleagues and aspiring sleep researchers, and for clinicians, patients and families.

Driving these goals is the reality that sleep remains a mystery. It is not clear why we must sleep. The key biological signals driving sleep and wakefulness remain uncertain. The relationships between sleep and health are generally appreciated but poorly defined. Recent estimates suggest that 40 - 70 million Americans experience either chronic or intermittent sleep-related problems. Difficulties with sleep tend to increase with age and occur in both genders, all races and all socioeconomic groups. Untreated sleep disorders have a profound impact nationally in terms of reduced quality of life, lower productivity in school and the workplace, increased morbidity and mortality and decreased public safety due to accidents associated with excessive sleepiness.

In response to these unmet medical and societal needs, the Center for Narcolepsy, Sleep and Health Research pursues three important and inter-related aims:

• Research into sleep and sleep-related disorders; including mechanisms, manifestations, consequences and management using basic, clinical translational, behavioral and community-based investigations
  
  
• Educate outstanding young scientists for productive careers in sleep and health research; provide evidence-based, leading-edge patient, clinician and community education
  
  
• Transfer technologies and knowledge developed through research into practice or into the private sector for commercial development and ultimate community health benefits

The Center for Narcolepsy, Sleep and Health Research is endowed by gifts from Joseph A. Piscopo and the estate of Katherine M. Minnich