Human Sleep Research Program: Past Projects

BAY AREA SLEEP COHORT

Principal Investigator: Donald L. Bliwise, Ph.D. Emory University, Atlanta, GA

The Bay Area Sleep Cohort (BASC) was a longitudinal study involving elderly subjects evaluated with in-lab polysomnography between 1974 and 1985. A follow-up study involved a two-night sleep study in SRI's sleep lab and an evaluation of health status, including measures of neurobehavioral, pulmonary, and cardiovascular function.  Results will allow explanation of Sleep Disordered Breathing as a potentially sensitive aging biomarker and characterization of how this index of physiologic age relates to other biomarkers of aging.

THE EFFECT OF PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS) ON SLEEP AND DAYTIME ALERTNESS

Principal Investigator: Fiona C. Baker, Ph.D.  Sleep Physiologist, SRI International

Many women of reproductive age experience severe emotional and physical symptoms, such as mood swings, irritability, and anxiety, during the week before menstruation. These premenstrual symptoms may interfere with work, social activities and relationships.  Women with PMS often complain of disturbed sleep and daytime fatigue. To characterize the extent of sleep disruption in these women, we investigated night-time sleep architecture and daytime alertness, using objective measures. Publications arising from this study can be found on our Publications page.  A follow-up study about the association between severe PMS and sleep is currently underway.

A STUDY OF SLEEP PATTERNS IN TWINS

Principal Investigator: Ian M. Colrain, Ph.D., Director, Human Sleep Research Program, SRI International

Principal Investigator: Gary E. Swan, Ph.D., Director, Center for Health Sciences, SRI International

The major goal of this study wa to examine the extent to which genetics and environment affect sleep in children by studying monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twin pairs. The hypothesis of this study was that changes in sleep seen across the second decade of life will largely be determined by genetic factors.  Thus, monozygotic twin pairs will have greater within pair similarity in sleep architecture and microstructure, than dizygotic twin pairs. 

Members of the SRI Northern California Twin Registry between the ages of 9 and 17 were eligible for participation in this study.  There is no cost to become a member of the Registry. Click here for more information.

Contact Us

For more information about SRI International's Human Sleep Research Program, call 650-859-3897 or email sleep@sri.com.