The physical health effects of sleep deprivation with a focus on neuroendocrine and immune systems.
Sleep is ubiquitous among animals and is essential for life.
Although profound sleep disruption is believed to impair health and hinder recovery from disease, the specific health consequences in humans have not been elucidated. The goal of this laboratory is to determine through comparative research the pathophysiological changes induced by sleep deprivation and how they are mediated. Two research areas considered critical in determining the biological effects of sleep impairment are immunity and neuroendocrinology. Research findings from this laboratory have shown that sleep deprivation in laboratory animals results in a unique clinicopathological profile. Central to the profile is a progressive deep negative energy balance manifested by hyperphagia and weight loss without malabsorption problems.