Circadian Rhythms & Sleep Research
Below are labs and faculty investigating the function of sleep with the intent to improve the treatment of sleep disorders.
To learn about ongoing clinical trials or participate in a study, visit the clinical trials page for our Division of Sleep Medicine.
Labs
Phyllis C Zee LabBasic, translational and clinical research linking circadian rhythms and sleep to health outcomes and developing innovative treatments for sleep and circadian disorders.
Basic, translational and clinical research linking circadian rhythms and sleep to health outcomes and developing innovative treatments for sleep and circadian disorders.
Research Description
The Sleep and Circadian Rhythms Research Program has a large research portfolio and a history of successful NIH funding of cutting-edge translational research and clinical trials in the area of sleep and circadian medicine. Research projects include basic studies on mechanisms of sleep and circadian rhythms regulation as well as translational and patient oriented studies on the role of sleep and circadian rhythms on neurocognitive function, cardio-metabolic health, neurodegeneration and other neurological disorders. The program also has extensive history collaborating with institutions throughout the country on large-multi site, multi-year studies and trials.
Currently, faculty are Principal Investigators or collaborators on studies to understand the mechanisms linking sleep quality, circadian alignment with neurocognitive impairment, mood, cardiovascular and metabolic risk in populations at risk for sleep and circadian disorders.
Recent Publications
For publication information see PubMed and for more information see the faculty profile of Phyllis Zee, MD,PhD or visit the Center for Sleep & Circadian website.
Contact information
Phyllis C Zee, MD, PhD at 312-503-4409.
Knutson LabDr. Knutson's lab focuses on clinical and observational research examining sleep, circadian rhythms and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and cognitive dysfunction. Also examining sociocultural determinants of sleep and circadian rhythms and the role sleep and circadian disruption play in health disparities.
Dr. Knutson's lab focuses on clinical and observational research examining sleep, circadian rhythms and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and cognitive dysfunction. Also examining sociocultural determinants of sleep and circadian rhythms and the role sleep and circadian disruption play in health disparities.
Learn more about Dr. Knutson's research at Northwestern Scholars.
Jennifer Mundt LabDr. Jennifer Mundt's laboratory is focused on non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia and other sleep disorders.
Dr. Jennifer Mundt's laboratory is focused on non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia and other sleep disorders.
The research interests of Dr. Mundt's lab include innovative approaches to treatment with a focus on patient perspectives, mind body focused interventions for disorders of sleep and arousal and examining sleep disturbances in the context of other psychological and physical parameters such as cognition, stress, and metabolic syndrome.
Visit Dr. Mundt's lab webpage for more information.
Kathryn Reid LabDr. Reid lab's research interests are aimed at gaining a greater understanding of the relationship between the sleep and circadian systems with health and safety.
Dr. Reid lab's research interests are aimed at gaining a greater understanding of the relationship between the sleep and circadian systems with health and safety.
Current research areas include, understanding the basis and treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders, the effects of sleep loss on performance and safety, and the relationship between sleep and risk for metabolic and cardiovascular disease.
Visit Dr. Reid's faculty profile to learn more.
Faculty
Abbott, Sabra M
Assistant Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine)
Bio
Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders
Attarian, Hrayr
Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine)
Bio
My primary research interests are in sleep disorders in women and the treatment of parasomnias.
Knutson, Kristen L
Associate Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine) and Preventive Medicine (Epidemiology)
Bio
My research focuses on the association between sleep, circadian rhythms and cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. I focus on “real world” assessments of hab... [more]
Malkani, Roneil Gopal
Associate Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine)
Bio
Sleep and circadian disorders in neurodegenerative diseases, REM behavior disorder, parasomnias, Parkinson's disease, sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, restless legs s... [more]
Mutlu, Gokhan M
Adjunct Professor of Medicine (Pulmonary and Critical Care) and Neurology - Ken and Ruth Davee Department
Bio
Air pollution, ischemic cardiovascular events, acute lung injury, adipokines
Ong, Jason C
Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine)
Reid, Kathryn Jean
Research Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine)
Bio
Dr Reid’s research interests are aimed at gaining a greater understanding of the relationship between the sleep and circadian systems with health and safety. Current research areas include, understand... [more]
Sheldon, Stephen H
Professor of Pediatrics (Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine) and Neurology - Ken and Ruth Davee Department
Bio
Pediatric Sleep Medicine including but not limited to Pediatric Sleep-disordered breathing, Obstructive sleep disordered breathing in children, Central sleep disordered breathing in children, Non-inva... [more]
Turek, Fred
Professor of Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Neurology - Ken and Ruth Davee Department and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Bio
Research in the Turek laboratory is focused on the study of sleep and circadian rhythms, with special interest in identifying genes that regulate sleep and circadian rhythms. Ongoing work on sleep and... [more]
Zee, Phyllis C
Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine)
Bio
Circadian rhythm disorders, Insomnia, Nocturnal seizures, Parsomnias, Restless leg, Sleep apnea, Sleep disorders, Snoring and increased upper airways