http://pennhealth.com/sleep/newsletter/index.html A Quarterly Publication from Penn Sleep Centers en-us Copyright 2007, The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Fri, 1 Dec 2006 EDT http://pennhealth.com/images/uphs_logo.gif http://pennhealth.com/sleep/newsletter/ Truck drivers who routinely get too little sleep or suffer from sleep apnea show signs of fatigue and impaired performance that can make them a hazard on the road, according to a major new study by Penn Sleep Centers researchers. The study results, entitled “Impaired Performance in Commercial Drivers: Role of Sleep Apnea and Short Sleep Duration,” were published in the August 15th issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. http://pennhealth.com/sleep/newsletter/winter06/wheel.html Fri, 1 Dec 2006 EDT Along with the epidemic of obesity, the incidence of sleep apnea has risen at an alarming rate. The most common form, known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is caused by extra tissue in the upper airway that collapses and literally blocks the airflow to the lungs. The risk factors for OSA include male sex (women’s risk increases after menopause), obesity, and neck size greater than 17 inches. The symptoms of sleep apnea include fatigue, early morning headaches, snoring, falling asleep during the daytime, depression and witnessed episodes of irregular breathing while sleeping. http://pennhealth.com/sleep/newsletter/winter06/heart.html Fri, 1 Dec 2006 EDT Insomnia is the most prevalent sleep disorder, representing one of the most common complaints reported to doctors by their patients. In an effort to provide non-pharmacologic treatment options for insomnia, research and clinical practice have focused on developing cognitive- behavior treatments as an alternative. http://pennhealth.com/sleep/newsletter/winter06/insomnia.html Fri, 1 Dec 2006 EDT Can you tell if a fly is asleep? This is precisely the question asked seven years ago by Dr. Joan Hendricks, who is now the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In collaboration with Dr. Amita Sehgal and Dr. Allan Pack of the Penn Center for Sleep and Respiratory Neurobiology (CSRN), Dr. Hendricks wanted to determine if the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, an animal used since the early 1900s for genetic studies in biology, has a sleeplike state much as we do. But unlike human studies, where one can measure brain electrical activity to distinguish sleep from the waking state, one cannot easily measure fly brain waves. Instead, Dr. Hendricks used behavioral measures. http://pennhealth.com/sleep/newsletter/winter06/flies.html Fri, 1 Dec 2006 EDT Each fall, Grace Pien, MD in the University of Pennsylvania Division of Sleep Medicine sees teenagers being brought into her office by parents. The teens complain about difficulty falling asleep at night. After several follow-up questions, Pien often determines that these patients suffer from a sleep disorder called delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) - when the body's circadian rhythm delays the urge to sleep until much later than what is considered to be a normal bedtime. http://pennhealth.com/sleep/newsletter/winter06/advice.html Fri, 1 Dec 2006 EDT In April of this year, the practices and sleep laboratory facilities of the Penn Sleep Centers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center were merged into a single new site at 3624 Market St. which serves as headquarters for the Penn Sleep Centers. This newly renovated facility provides pleasant and spacious areas for both patients and staff. http://pennhealth.com/sleep/newsletter/winter06/announce.html Fri, 1 Dec 2006 EDT