Sleep Medicine

Although poor sleep quality can be attributed to a variety of factors, several million people suffer from chronic sleep deprivation due to breathing difficulties. While considerable progress has recently been made in diagnostics of sleep-related breathing disorders, there is still much to learn about this complex field of study.

Rising evidence links sleep disorders with decreased health and wellness as well as increased disease severity and even death. Interdisciplinary interactions between experts will lead to a better understanding of sleep and its relationship to overall health.

Research and Education Core Leader

Conrad Iber, M.D.

Recent News and Accomplishments

The UMN Fairview Sleep Center received national accreditation (2007)

Conrad Iber, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota recently developed and edited a new set of national standards for Sleep Scoring which replaces the original set of standards developed in 1968.  The new national standards are published in "The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) for the Scoring of Sleep & Associated Events: Rules, Terminology, and Technical Specifications."  This completes a three-project to update the standardized sleep scoring in accredited sleep centers across the country and is likely to be accepted by international organizations and incorporated into research methodology.  The underpinnings of the rules and technical specifications on the new manual draw heavily from seven evidence and review papers published in the March 2007 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine by many contributing authors, including Dr. Iber.  The construction of the methods cited in the manual involved international participation of over 60 content experts.