Skip to main content

Circadian Rhythms and 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

 Zee Lab

Dr. Zee’s lab conducts 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.

For more information, see the faculty profile of Phyllis Zee, MD, PhD or visit the Center for Sleep & Circadian website.

Publications

For publication information, see PubMed.

Contact

Email Phyllis C. Zee, MD, PhD

Phone: 312-503-4409

Twitter: @PhyllisZee 

 Knutson Lab

Dr. Knutson's lab focuses on clinical and observational research examining sleep, circadian rhythms and chronic diseases, as well as the sociocultural determinants of sleep and circadian rhythms.

 Mundt Lab

Dr. Mundt's lab focuses 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.

For lab information, please visit Dr. Mundt's faculty profile and the Mundt Lab webpage for more information.

 Reid Lab

Dr. Reid's lab aims to improve understanding of the relationship between the sleep and circadian systems and 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

Abbott, Sabra M

Associate Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine) and Neurology (Hospital Neurology)

Bio

Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders

Attarian, Hrayr

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

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

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]

Ong, Jason C

Ong, Jason C

Adjunct Associate Professor of Neurology (Sleep Medicine)

Reid, Kathryn Jean

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]

Turek, Fred

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

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

Follow Neurology on InstagramFacebookLinkedIn