Human Sleep Research Program: Current Projects

ALCOHOLISM, SLEEP AND THE BRAIN

Principal Investigator: Ian M. Colrain, Ph.D., Director, Human Sleep Research Program, SRI International

In 2003, SRI was awarded a five-year research grant by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) to study the relationship between changes in brain structure and changes in sleep EEG patterns in alcoholics. This was the first major grant awarded to SRI's new Human Sleep Research Program directed by Dr. Ian Colrain in the Policy Division's Center for Health Sciences, and was designed to be an extension of the NIAAA and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) projects already funded in the Center's Neurosciences Program directed by Dr. Dolf Pfefferbaum.

The grant's main objectives are to examine sleep physiology in recently detoxified, chronic alcoholics, to examine regional brain gray matter volume differences as a potential mechanism underlying sleep physiology, and to examine the sensitivity of sleep physiological markers as predictors of alcoholism relapse.

EFFECT OF SEVERE PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME ON SLEEP

Principal Investigator: Fiona C. Baker, Ph.D., Sleep Physiologist, SRI International

Many women of reproductive age experience severe emotional and physical symptoms, such as mood swings, irritability, and anxiety, during the week before menstruation. These premenstrual symptoms may interfere with work, social activities and relationships. Women with PMS often complain of disturbed sleep and daytime fatigue. The purpose of the current study, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, is to determine the impact of severe premenstrual syndrome on night-time sleep. 

We are currently recruiting women with severe PMS for this study. We are also recruiting women, without severe PMS, to serve as controls for this study.  If you are interested in participating, or would like more information, contact us by calling (650) 859-3251 or email us at sleep@sri.com.

ALCOHOL, SLEEP, AND BRAIN DEVELOPMENT

Principal Investigator: Ian M. Colrain, Ph.D., Director, Human Sleep Research Program, SRI International

This study examines how brain structure and sleep are altered by adolescent development, and the impact of alcohol use on this development.   The purpose of this study is to look at the development of brain structure and function in normal, healthy adolescents over the next 18 months in order to examine the feasibility of conducting a prospective longitudinal evaluation of the influence of alcohol on brain development using sleep, cognitive function, and brain MRI measures. We are looking for participants between the ages of 11 to 14.  Each child will need to be accompanied by one parent during all testing sessions, including the overnight sessions. This study is being conducted at SRI International in Menlo Park, CA. Testing sessions can be scheduled at your convenience.

We are currently recruiting for this study.  If you are interested in more information, please contact Peggy Giacalone at 650-859-5227 or e-mail brain-study@sri.com.

NICOTINE/SMOKING CESSATION

Principal Investigator: Gary E. Swan, Ph.D., Director, Center for Health Sciences, SRI International
Co-Investigator: Ian M. Colrain, Ph.D., Director, Human Sleep Research Program, SRI International

Most smokers who attempt to quit smoking experience a wide array of withdrawal symptoms, including cravings, depression, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, and negative mood.  Medications currently being used for smoking cessation, while effective in reducing the impact of some of the withdrawal symptoms, can also result in insomnia, an unwanted side effect.  At SRI's Center for Health Sciences, research is underway to investigate the effects of smoking cessation on sleep.  Study participants will take part in state-of-the-art clinical sleep assessments at the Human Sleep Laboratory at SRI prior to quitting smoking and while being quit for 40 hours.  This National Institute on Drug Abuse study aims to: 1) characterize the effect of smoking cessation on sleep; 2) assess the levels of daytime sleepiness and mood disturbance and their relationship to measured sleep disturbance; and 3) determine the relationship between sleep, daytime sleepiness, and mood on acute withdrawal from nicotine.

If you are interested in participating, or would like more information please contact us by calling (800) 605-3645 or visit www.sri.com/quitsmoking.

Contact Us

For more information about SRI International's Human Sleep Research Program, call 650-859-3897 or email sleep@sri.com.