American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Study shows that bedtime regularity predicts CPAP compliance

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A new study suggests that regularity of bedtime prior to initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is an important factor that may influence treatment compliance in adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

NHLBI announces intent to publish FOA for novel point-of-care technology

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute posted a notice (NOT-HL-13-177) of its intent to publish a new Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that will encourage applications for research in support of the development of novel point-of-care (POC) and implementation of existing technologies specifically for practical clinical applications that can guide diagnostic and therapeutic efforts in the heart, lung, blood, and sleep clinical research settings.

NIH announces funding opportunity for obesity research

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a funding opportunity announcement (PA-12-179) for Exploratory/Developmental Clinical Research Grants in Obesity (R21).

Short sleep duration and sleep apnea linked to increased abdominal fat

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A new study reports that a habitual short sleep duration of less than five hours and obstructive sleep apnea are independently associated with abdominal visceral fat in Korean adults.

Study links obstructive sleep apnea to brain white matter change

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

People with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea are two times more likely to have brain white matter change even after adjustment for hypertension, reports a study in the May issue of SLEEP.

Report finds increase in emergency department visits related to zolpidem

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that the number of emergency department visits involving adverse reactions to the sleep medication zolpidem rose nearly 220 percent from 2005 to 2010.

Panel proposes high priority future research needs for OSA diagnosis and treatment

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine includes a special article proposing future research needs related to the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Study finds improved neurobehavioral performance during the wake maintenance zone

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A new study found that performance was significantly improved, despite a longer time awake, in the wake maintenance zone, a three-hour window of reduced sleep propensity that occurs shortly before the onset of melatonin secretion.

Sleep apnea severity is higher in African-American men

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A study in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that obstructive sleep apnea severity is higher in African-American men than Caucasian men in certain age ranges, even after controlling for body mass index (BMI).

CDC data show that self-reported hypertension is on the rise

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

On April 5 the CDC reported that from 2005 to 2009, the prevalence of self-reported hypertension among U.S. adults increased from 25.8 to 28.3 percent. Among those with self-reported hypertension, use of antihypertensive medications increased from 61.1 to 62.6 percent.

More sleep is associated with reduced BMI in teens

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A study of teens published online in Pediatrics on April 8 found that each additional hour of sleep was associated with a reduced body mass index (BMI), especially for teens with higher BMIs. Increasing sleep from 7.5 to 10.0 hours per day at age 18 predicted a reduction in the proportion of overweight adolescents by 4 percent.

Children’s Report of Sleep Patterns is found to be a valid and reliable measure

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A new study presents the preliminary psychometrics of the Children’s Report of Sleep Patterns (CRSP), a self-report measure for children. The CRSP demonstrated good reliability and validity, providing support for children 8 years and older reporting information about their own sleep patterns, sleep hygiene and sleep disturbances.

Study evaluates a stepped care model for chronic insomnia

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A study in the March 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine evaluated a consecutive series of 50 adult patients who participated in a stepped care model for chronic insomnia, in which non-responders to a less intensive therapy received a more intensive intervention.

Nocturia may worsen insomnia symptoms in older adults

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A new study suggests that nocturia may worsen the already poor sleep of older adults with insomnia. Published in the March 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, results show that 54 percent of all log-reported nocturnal awakenings were associated with nocturia.

NHLBI director Dr. Gary Gibbons presents vision for the future to Advisory Council

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A brief summary of the Feb. 12, 2013, meeting of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council (NHLBAC) is available online. NHLBI Director Dr. Gary H. Gibbons welcomed members and presented, "Imagining the Future--the NHLBI at 75: Toward a Diverse, Networked Scientific Community."

NIA requests proposals to study health and longevity at older ages

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) invites proposals for R01 research project grants (PA-13-125), R03 small grant programs (PA-13-123) and R21 exploratory/developmental research grants (PA-13-124) to study regional and international differences in health and longevity at older ages.

Study may help distinguish older adults with insomnia from good sleepers

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A study in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine sought to to identify the optimal quantitative thresholds that differentiate older adults with insomnia from good sleepers.

FOA request on obesity related behaviors

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) National Institute on Aging (NIA) National Cancer Institute (NCI) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) have issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for obesity research. The R01 (PA-13-110) requests proposals to evaluate large scale policy or programs that are expected to influence obesity related behaviors and weight outcomes in an effort to prevent or reduce obesity. Standard dates apply.

NIH committee meeting Feb. 25-26 to discuss sleep research plan

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The NIH Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board will host a meeting Feb. 25-26 to discuss and provide updates on sleep and circadian research developments and the NIH sleep research plan.

Request for research into disease risk linked to maternal sleep disturbances

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) have announced a funding opportunity (FOA) that may interest sleep and circadian researchers.

FOA request on substance abuse in U.S. Military personnel and veterans

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) have issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for research on health and prevention programs.

NCCAM requests research on symptom management in military and veteran populations

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for Competitive Revision Applications for Research on Complementary Approaches to Symptom Management in Military and Veteran Populations (R01). The FOA (PA-13-075) encourages competitive revision applications to augment currently active NCCAM R01 grants. NCCAM-funded researchers are encouraged to collaborate with Veteran Health Administration (VHA) or Department of Defense (DoD) clinicians or researchers to conduct research on complementary approaches for symptom management and health in military or VA populations. One example of a research approach includes enhancing the funded research by adding a military or VA setting or population and adding the use of PROMIS tools or NIH Toolbox tools to other measures being used in the parent grant to assess pain, sleep, or other symptoms of interest in the military or VA population.

FOA requests R03 and R34 projects for substance and alcohol abuse treatments

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences (OBSSR) have issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for a Behavioral & Integrative Treatment Development Program. The R03 (PA-13-079) and R34 (PA-13-078) requests solicit discrete, well-defined projects on the development and testing of behavioral and integrative treatments for substance and alcohol abuse and dependence. One specific area of interest involves studies to create and integrate sleep or other relevant health behavior modules for incorporation into drug abuse treatment protocols, to improve efficacy of treatment.

Deadline is Feb. 1 for R25 grant applications for sleep and circadian education research

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) invites the submission of Education Research (R25) grant applications focused on scientific advances in sleep health and circadian and sleep biology. The application due date is Feb. 1, 2013, by 5:00 PM local time of applicant organization.

NHLBI seeks comment on the study of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) have issued a Request for Information (RFI) for High-Priority Research Topics for Sedentary Behavior. Sedentary behavior is defined as activities that do not substantially increase energy expenditure beyond resting levels and includes activities such as sleeping, lying down, sitting, television viewing and computer use. All comments must be submitted electronically through February 15, 2013.

New practice parameters and review on non-respiratory indications for PSG and MSLT in children published in November issue of SLEEP

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Practicing physicians are encouraged to review new practice parameters and an accompanying review published by the AASM in the November issue of the journal SLEEP. Practice Parameters for the Non-Respiratory Indications for Polysomnography and Multiple Sleep Latency Testing for Children Non-Respiratory and Indications for Polysomnography and Related Procedures in Children: An Evidence-Based Review are the first AASM publications on this topic.

NIH operating under continuing resolution

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A continuing resolution passed into law on Sept. 28 will allow the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health to operate through March 27, 2013. The resolution continues government operations at the FY 2012 level plus 0.6 percent until FY 2013 appropriations are enacted. During this time, the NIH will issue non-competing research grant awards at a level less than what was indicated in the most recent Notice of Award.

National Institute of Health accepting application for alcohol abuse, sleep disorders and circadian rhythms

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), invites R21 and R01 applications to conduct studies on the functional relationships between alcohol abuse, circadian rhythms and sleep disorders.

Vacancy Announcement: National Center on Sleep Disorders Research

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The NHLBI has announced an opening for a program director to join the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR) focusing on sleep disorders medicine and the development of a portfolio in sleep research training. This is a full time position with a duty station at the NIH, in Bethesda, MD. NCSDR is located in the NHLBI Division of Lung Diseases, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD.

NHLBI soliciting contract for evaluating compliance for oral appliances

Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The NIH National Heart Lung and Blood Institute announced an SBIR/STTR contract funding opportunity for programs that integrate oral appliances and electronic monitoring technologies. The contract solicitation aims for the development of oral appliances devices capable of tracking adherence to satisfy regulatory requirements and facilitate future research and clinical trials.

Video: New NHLBI leader holds introductory town hall

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Dr. Gary H. Gibbons, the new acting director of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, hosted a recent town hall meeting to introduce himself to the scientific community. In the meeting he laid out the fiscal and scientific challenges that the NHLBI faces. Responding to those challenges,Dr. Gibbons shared his vision on how the institution can adapt to the changing environment. A video of Dr. Gibbon's presentation is available in the full story.

NIH funding opportunity: career development program in omics of lung diseases

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the development of programs that would equip young investigators with the ability to apply pan-omics and integrated approaches to studying lung diseases. Letters of intent for the funding opportunity Career Development Program in Omics of Lung Diseases (K12)(RFA-HL-13-023) are due on Sept. 26. For more information, view the funding opportunity announcement on the NIH website.

Gary H. Gibbins, MD begins NHLBI director role

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Earlier this week, Gary H. Gibbons, became acting director of the NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Gibbons is the founding director of the Morehouse School of Medicine Cardiovascular Research Institute in Atlanta. He replaces Susan Shurin, MD, who served as acting director for the previous two and half years

Deadline for ASMF Humanitarian Projects Award application approaching

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Applications for the 2012 Cycle of the American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) Humanitarian Projects Award are due Monday, July 23. The primary objective of the award is to provide support to projects that address sleep problems in underprivileged populations. The ASMF is particularly interested in projects that develop or promote novel approaches to address human suffering as it relates to inadequate sleep or sleep disorders in disadvantaged groups.

Help promote sleep within NINDS’s stroke research plan

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the main institute for stroke at the National Institutes of Health, is in the second phase of reviewing new or unmet challenges and opportunities in stroke research.

New class of sleep medication debuts in SLEEP 2012 presentation

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Findings based on efficacy trials using suvorexant, a new class of sleep medications, to treat insomnia made a splash during a late-breaking abstract session Wednesday at SLEEP 2012, the 26^th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. Researchers and the drug manufacturer Merck report suvorexant significantly reduced the time it took for patients to fall asleep and increase the amount of time patients stayed asleep compared to a placebo.

Help promote sleep within NINDS stroke research plan

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Authors from leading clinical and scientific sleep societies urge the nation’s health stakeholders to make sleep a priority

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A joint white paper by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) emphasizing the importance of sleep and directed at the nation’s health stakeholders is being published in the June issue of the journal SLEEP.

ASMF announces Humanitarian Projects Award to improve sleep in disadvantaged populations

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) is pleased to announce the 2012 Cycle of the Humanitarian Projects Award. The primary objective of this award is to provide support to projects that address sleep problems in disadvantaged populations.

ASMF announces Strategic Research Award for research on improving health care delivery

Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) recently announced a request for proposals (RFP) for the planning or research grants aimed at improving the quality of health care delivery in the field of sleep medicine. Applications for the grants are due August 15, 2012.

NIH announces Funding Opportunity for development of obesity interventions

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and several other components of the NIH have issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the development of obesity prevention programs. The FOA "Exploratory/Development Clinical Research Grants in Obesity (R21)" encourages grant applications from institutions that propose clinical studies that will accelerate the development of interventions for the prevention or treatment of overweight or obesity in adults and/or children. The open date for the funding opportunity is May 16.

NHLBI announces Funding Opportunities, Career Transition Award

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently issued two Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) and a Career Transition Award that apply to sleep.

NHLBI releases executive summary on workshop on sleep deficiency and sleep disorders

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Division of Lung Diseases (DLD) and Division for the Application of Research Discoveries (DARD) held a joint workshop in September titled "Reducing Health Disparities: The Role of Sleep Deficiency and Sleep Disorders."An executive summary of the workshop is now available on the NHLBI website.

AHRQ seeks public commentary on report 'Future Research Needs for Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea'

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking public comment on its new draft report titled "Future Research Needs for Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea." The intended purpose of the report is to help researchers and funders of research make well-informed decisions in designing and funding research related to obstructive sleep apnea. The deadline for commentary is March 6, 2012.

Two funding opportunities aim to increase collaboration with health care providers

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institute of Health Common Fund recently issued a pair of Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) intended to strengthen the national capacity to implement cost-effective large-scale research that engages health care providers as research partners.

NIH transfers all National Center of Research Resources activities to other institutes and centers

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institutes of Health recently issued announcement that details the agency's plan for programs formerly under the National Center of Research Resources (NCRR). On December 23rd, 2011 the NCRR was disbanded as part of the Fiscal Year 2012 Omnibus Appropriations bill. All NCRR programs, awards and applications will be transferred to other Institutes and Centers with the NIH. A list of affected programs and the new Institutes and Centers is available on the NIH website.

NHLBI grant announcement re-issued for research on prevention and treatment of sleep disordered breathing

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) re-issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to support research dissemination and implementation studies (R18). The purpose of the grants is to test the effectiveness, sustainability and cost effectiveness of well-developed behavioral interventions in real-world settings that aim to reduce the risk factors and enhance the prevention and treatment of heart, lung and blood diseases and sleep disordered breathing. Submission begins on January 2, 2012; the application follows the standard due dates for NIH grants.

NHLBI posts Executive Summary of September workshop on sleep deficiency and sleep disorders

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

In September 2011, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) held a two-day workshop to discuss and identify opportunities for research to reduce disparities in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality coupled to sleep health. The workshop also aimed to advance the scientific understanding of the role of sleep in realizing optimal health outcomes. An executive summary with recommendations from the workshop was recently posted on the NHLBI website. Recommendations for future research ranged studies that effects of sleep impairment and sleep disorders across different populations to research to identify and understand the barriers to health care, diagnosis and treatment for sleep disorders.

NIH grant opportunity announced for health outcomes related to maternal nutrition and pre-pregnancy obesity

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the NIH's National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) calls for Research Project grant (R01) applications for Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children. The FOA will facilitate research focused on improving health outcomes for women, infants and children. The FOA states that this can include interventions that target modifiable factors in the maternal pre- and post-natal environment which may modulate genetic susceptibility to obesity, such as sleep habits. Standard date and deadlines for NIH R01 grants apply for this funding opportunity.

NHLBI Funding Opportunity Announcement to establish Centers for Accelerated Innovations

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently announced it will publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to establish Centers for Accelerated Innovations (CAI). According to the NHLBI, the Centers are intended to tackle problems that hinder the critical, early steps necessary to translate novel scientific advances and discoveries into commercially viable diagnostics, devices, therapeutics and tools that improve patient care and advance public health. The Funding Opportunity Announcement will be published in Spring 2012 in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. The receipt date is expected to be in Fall 2012.

The National Sleep Research Network: A time to get together

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

In 2008, the National Sleep Research Network (SRN) was established to address a gap in the sleep medicine research infrastructure needed to support collaborative research. The SRN aims to create a forum for sleep researchers to connect and form collaborations to promote clinical and translational sleep research that requires large-scale, coordinated and multidisciplinary approaches. The most recent SRN conference, supported in part by the AASM, occurred on October 5-6, 2011 and was attended by 61 participants representing 43 institutions, officials from the NIH and members of the Sleep Research Society (SRS) and the AASM. To learn how to participate in future collaborative efforts, go to the Sleep Research Network website.

AASM provides support for NIH Sleep and Circadian Biology Datablitz

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

On Monday, November 14, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) hosted a Sleep and Circadian Biology Datablitz in Washington, D.C. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine supported the event by providing an educational grant. The fast-paced Datablitz featured one-minute presentations on recent research developments in Sleep and Circadian Biology. Representatives from the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research and various NIH institutes were on hand to discuss the findings.

Presidential Memorandum encourages agencies to bring research breakthroughs to the marketplace

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

President Obama recently issued a Presidential Memorandum titled “Accelerating Products from the Science Lab to the Marketplace.” According to a White House release, the memo is intended to make startups receive grants 50 percent faster, by streamlining and accelerating the process for private-public research partnerships, small business research and development grants and university-startup collaborations. The memo also gives agencies more flexibility to partner with industry and share resources. The White House is directing federal agencies to develop a five–year plan with concrete goals and metrics to measure progress, including tracking number of patents each lab generates.

AASM accepting applications for the 2012 Young Investigator Research Forum

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 AASM Young Investigator Research Forum. The forum will provide young investigators the opportunity for collegial interaction with established senior faculty members across the broad spectrum of clinical sleep research, as well as NIH scientific and program officers. The application process must be completed by Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. Please visit the AASM website to download the application for the 2012 Young Investigator Research Forum.

Revised NIH Grants Policy Statement Published

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently announced a revision to the NIH Grants Policy Statement. The revision replaces the NIH Grants Policy Statement (10/2010) as a standard term and condition of award. This applies only to NIH grants and cooperative agreements with budget periods beginning on or after October 1, 2011. According to the NIH announcement, the revision does not introduce any new material, but instead incorporates new and modified requirements, clarifies certain policies and implements changes in statutes, regulations and policies that have been applied since the previous Grants Policy Statement. A summary of the changes is available to download on the NIH website.

NIH 5th Annual Dissemination and Implementation Conference is March 19-20, 2012

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The 5th Annual NIH Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation: Research at the Crossroads will be held March 19-20, 2012, at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center in Rockville, Md. The conference will facilitate communicating and networking for researchers, evaluators and implementers who are interested in identifying opportunities and strategies for overcoming obstacles for dissemination and implementation research/evaluation. There is no fee for registration. Abstracts for posters, oral presentations, and panel sessions are invited. The deadline for proposals is Nov. 10, 2011.

Classification system proposed for outpatient sleep apnea testing devices

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A new classification system that details the type of signals measured by out-of-center testing devices for obstructive sleep apnea appears in the October issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The system categorizes out-of-center devices based on measurements of Sleep, Cardiovascular, Oximetry, Position, Effort and Respiratory (SCOPER) parameters. The paper also describes the criteria for evaluating the devices, based on pre-test and post-test probabilities.

NCI updates ASA24 online dietary assessment tool

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has made available an updated version of the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Recall (ASA24), an online dietary assessment tool. It may be of particular interest to sleep and circadian clinical researchers studying the relationship of sleep deficiency to metabolic disorders, appetite regulation and obesity. ASA24T is available to researchers free of charge. Note that using the tool requires "registering" studies to enable Web access.

NIH notice summarizes operations under Continuing Resolution funding

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Enacted on October 4, 2011, this CR will fund government operations through November 18 at the FY 2011 level minus 1.5 percent. “Until FY 2012 appropriations are enacted, NIH will issue non-competing research grant awards at a level below that indicated on the most recent Notice of Award (generally up to 90% of the previously committed level),” the NIH statement reads. “Upward adjustments to awarded levels will be considered after our FY 2012 appropriations are enacted.”

The sleep schedules of children and teens may affect their weight

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A study in the Oct. 1 issue of SLEEP suggests that children and teens who keep an “early to bed and early to rise” schedule may be slimmer and more physically active than their night-owl peers. A WebMD article noted that previous studies of sleep and weight may have “missed the mark” by focusing on sleep duration while ignoring sleep schedules. An article in the Herald Sun reports that the results seem to contradict the idea that a later sleep pattern is healthy for teens.

CDC study links insufficient sleep to health-risk behaviors among teens

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that almost 70 percent of high school students reported getting less than eight hours of sleep on an average school night. The study also found that insufficient sleep was associated with higher odds of many health-risk behaviors such as current use of cigarettes, marijuana and alcohol, as well as current sexual activity and having seriously considered attempting suicide.

NIH announces psychosocial stress and behavior grant

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the NIH Basic Behavioral and Social Sciences Opportunity Network (OppNet) solicits Research Project grant (R01) applications for Mechanistic Pathways Linking Psychosocial Stress and Behavior (RFA-HL-12-037). This FOA will facilitate investigation of multiple and potentially bidirectional pathways underlying the behavioral, environmental, and psychosocial link(s) between psychosocial stressors and behaviors that may ultimately impact biological function, health and disease. The letter of intent due date is Nov. 19, 2011, and the application due date is Dec. 19, 2011.

Grant reminder: Education Research in Sleep Health and Sleep-Circadian Biology

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The next letter of intent due date is Jan. 2, 2012, for the Education Research in Sleep Health and Sleep-Circadian Biology grant (PAR-11-098) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

NIH offers grants related to healthy habits in children and teens

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued funding opportunity announcements for three grants under the title of, “Healthy Habits: Timing for Developing Sustainable Healthy Behaviors in Children and Adolescents.” Developing healthy sleep patterns is one of the positive health behaviors that may be targeted by applications for these three grants: R01 research project grant (PA-11-327), R03 small grant program (PA-11-328) and R21 exploratory/developmental research grant award (PA-11-329). Standard application due dates apply.

NHLBI study identifies blood pressure-influencing genes

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Researchers have identified 29 genetic variations across 28 regions of the human genome that control blood pressure. Ten of the variations were found in unexpected locations, and provide new clues to how blood pressure is regulated. The findings may help predict the genetic risk of cardiovascular disease. Subjects with multiple variants had an increased risk of hypertension complications such as increased thickness of heart chamber, heart failure, stroke and coronary artery disease.

ASMF grant applications are due Oct. 17

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The American Sleep Medicine Foundation is pleased to offer its fifth year of grant funding for the Physician Scientist Training Award (PSTA). Through this award, the ASMF supports research training for physicians who wish to pursue a career as a physician scientist in sleep medicine. For a fourth year, the ASMF also is requesting applications for the ABSM Junior Faculty Research Award, which was established with an endowment of $2 million from the American Board of Sleep Medicine. This award provides funding to assist new faculty in the development of a career in academic sleep medicine. Candidates must complete the application process before Monday, Oct. 17, 2011.

AASM accepting applications for the 2012 Young Investigator Research Forum

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The 2012 AASM Young Investigator Research Forum will provide the opportunity for collegial interaction with established senior faculty members across the broad spectrum of clinical sleep research, as well as NIH scientific and program officers. There is a projected future shortage of clinical sleep researchers, and research funding is difficult to obtain. This retreat will provide guidance, tactics and strategies to help improve the chances of achieving a successful career in clinical sleep research. Please visit the AASM website to download the application for the 2012 Young Investigator Research Forum. The application process must be completed by Friday, Dec. 2, 2011.

Reminder: NIH sleep and social environment grant application due Sept. 30

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The due date is approaching for Research Project Grant (R21) applications that propose to investigate the reciprocal interactions of the processes of sleep and circadian regulation and function with behavioral and social environmental processes. The grant (RFA-HD-12-204) offers the opportunity to link social environment factors that shape sleep behaviors with the direct neurobehavioral and circadian biology effects of sleep processes on individuals in the context of their social milieu.

Apply for Research Project Grant (R01) on decision making

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a funding opportunity announcement (RFA-MH-12-130) for research that increases the understanding of basic cognitive, affective, motivational and social processes that influence decision making. “Basic Research on Decision Making: Cognitive, Affective and Development Perspectives” encourages researchers to explore the interactions among the psychological, neurobiological and behavioral processes in decision making and the mediating or moderating influences of genetics, physiology, the social environment and culture. Applications are due Jan. 18, 2012.

NHLBI announces diversity funding opportunity for sleep disorders researchers

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) issued a funding opportunity announcement (RFA-HL-12-032) for Training Program for Institutions That Promote Diversity. This Institutional National Research Service Award (T32) supports students and postdoctoral trainees at non-research intensive institutions focused on serving diverse communities that are not well represented in NIH-funded research. The application due date is Oct. 26, 2011.

NIH-Oxford researchers map gene expression in mouse brain

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A study in the Aug. 25 issue of the journal Neuron maps the activity of genes in the cerebral cortex of mice. Researchers from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health and from Oxford University created an atlas of the more than 11,000 genes in the six layers of brain cells that make up the cerebral cortex. The atlas of gene activity in mouse brain is available in an interactive format online.

ASMF announces the call for proposals for the 2012 grant cycle

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The ASMF is pleased to offer its fifth year of grant funding for the Physician Scientist Training Award (PSTA). For a fourth year, the ASMF also is requesting applications for the ABSM Junior Faculty Research Award, which was established with an endowment of $2 million from the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Candidates must complete the application process before Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, to be considered.

NHLBI Working Group focuses on coronary artery risk development

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) hosted a working group June 17, 2011, to discuss research areas that could be addressed by a possible continuation of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. One high priority recommended by the group is, “An assessment of sleep disordered breathing with a non-invasive home-based monitor and the administration of sleep questionnaires.”

NIH-commissioned study identifies gaps in NIH funding for black researchers

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

From 2000-2006, black applicants were 10 percentage points less likely than white applicants to be awarded research project grants from the National Institutes of Health after controlling for factors that influence the likelihood of a grant award, according to an NIH-commissioned study in the journal Science. In an accompanying commentary, NIH Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, and Principal Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak, DDS, PhD, call the findings unacceptable and commit to immediate action by the NIH.

NIH announces new funding opportunities, including grants for behavioral and social sciences

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A research project (R01) grant (PAR-11-314) and an exploratory/developmental (R21) research grant award (PAR-11-315) for “Systems Science and Health in the Behavioral and Social Sciences” both include numerous topics related to sleep and sleep disorders as potential areas of interest. Other new funding opportunities recently announced by the National Institutes of Health include the 2012 NIH Director's Pioneer Award Program (RFA-RM-11-004) and the 2012 NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program (RFA-RM-11-005).

Success stories are featured on the ASMF website

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Visit the American Sleep Medicine Foundation website to read about how the ASMF is making a difference through research, education and humanitarian aid. The new “Success Stories” highlight individuals and organizations that have received an ASMF grant or award.

HHS tightens financial conflict of interest rules for researchers

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued an updated Final Rule on conflict of interest, providing a framework for identifying, managing, and ultimately avoiding investigators’ financial conflicts of interest. Major changes to the regulations include the definition of significant financial interest (SFI), the extent of investigator disclosure, the information reported to the Public Health Service (PHS) awarding component, the information made accessible to the public, and investigator training.

NHLBI Working Group examines best practices of Data Coordinating Centers

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) hosted the Data Coordinating Centers’ Best Practices Working Group May 24-25, 2011. A Data Coordinating Centers’ Best Practices executive summary is available on the NHLBI website.

NHLBI announces funding for mentored career award and resource access to genome centers

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) issued a funding opportunity announcement (RFA-HL-12-029) for a Mentored Career Award for Faculty at Institutions that Promote Diversity, and an FOA (PAR-11-307) for a Resource Access Award (X01) for the Discovery of Genetic Basis of Mendelian or Monogenic Heart, Lung, and Blood Disorders.

Earn CME credit online: August issue of JCSM

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The August 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine is now available online, and AASM members have access to the full text of each article when you log in on the website. You also can earn continuing medical education (CME) credits online by reading designated articles and taking the online CME exams within one year of the date of publication.

Study in JAMA examines the link between sleep apnea and dementia

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Older women with sleep-disordered breathing had an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment, according to “Sleep-disordered breathing, hypoxia, and risk of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in older women,” which appears in the Aug. 10 issue of JAMA.

NHLBI Working Group explores alternative Institutional Review Board models

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) convened a Working Group (WG) of invited external experts in heart, lung and blood research and clinical research oversight, bioethics, health economics, regulatory matters and information technology for a meeting June 28-29, 2011. An IRB review process executive summary is available on the NHLBI website.

Advancing respiratory research: A new article by the NHLBI’s James Kiley, PhD

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

James P. Kiley, PhD, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Division of Lung Diseases and former director (1995 - 2000) of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR), focused on future opportunities and challenges in “Advancing respiratory research,” an article published in the August 2011 issue of CHEST. Kiley notes that sleep and circadian biology is one of the potential frontiers to advance progress in respiratory biology in health and disease.

Submit ideas for NIH Common Fund programs

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund supports exceptionally innovative programs that are inherently high-risk but have the potential for high-payoff by catalyzing research across all of NIH and in the biomedical research community. New ideas for Common Fund programs are identified annually by internal and external scientists and stakeholders, and NIH is asking for your input on these ideas to help them shape new programs for 2013. The feedback period is open until Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011.

Study examines the prevalence and risk patterns of insomnia symptoms

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Difficulty maintaining sleep is the most common insomnia symptom, according to a study in the Aug. 1 issue of SLEEP. The study involved an analysis of data from 6,791 adults who participated in the America Insomnia Survey (AIS), a cross-sectional telephone survey.

Twin study links sleep consolidation to language development in early childhood

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

A study in the Aug. 1 issue of SLEEP suggests that poor sleep consolidation during the first two years of life may be a risk factor for language learning. The longitudinal study involved 1,029 twins from the Quebec Newborn Twin Study.

NIA announces two R21 grants for translational research related to the elderly

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The National Institute on Aging has issued funding opportunity announcements for two exploratory/developmental research (R21) grants for translational research related to age-related conditions and the elderly. The earliest submission date for both grants is Sept. 16, 2011. Standard application due dates apply.

NHLBI releases executive summary of Pediatric Sleep Disturbances workshop

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Earlier this week the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) posted an executive summary of a Sept. 9, 2010, workshop on Pediatric Sleep Disturbances and their Contribution to Developmental Pathophysiology of Cardiometabolic Risk.

AHRQ reports that heart disease is the most costly medical condition in the U.S.