Strategic Opportunities in Sleep and Circadian Research: Report of the Joint Task Force of the Sleep Research Society and American Academy of Sleep Medicine

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Sleep and circadian timing are fundamental biological imperatives in animals and humans, throughout the lifespan. These biological systems can be challenged by pathology, individual choices, and social/societal pressures, often resulting in sleep loss or circadian disruption (i.e., “sleep deficiency”), and ultimately adverse health and safety outcomes. Advances in the scientific knowledge generated during the last decade indicate the transformative potential of sleep and circadian health for improving the health of the American people, including the development of novel, personalized, preventative and therapeutic strategies for multiple chronic diseases. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) created a Task Force with a mandate to engage the sleep and circadian scientific community, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other key stakeholders to help catalyze the implementation of the most time-sensitive research priorities identified in the 2011 NIH Sleep Disorders Research Plan. Given the mounting evidence of the importance of sleep health to overall physical health, behavioral health and safety, together with the rapid advances in basic sleep and circadian science, we need to seize on this opportunity to accelerate translational and clinical research in sleep and circadian rhythms. This white paper represents the proceedings and consensus development at the Joint Task Force on Sleep and Circadian Research Conference held in 2013 in Bethesda, MD. It is directed toward all invested in sleep and circadian research for their consideration, including researchers, educators, patients, professional societies, industry partners, funding-decision and policy makers. This documentation is timely and comes on the heels of a compelling call for an international effort in this area. 1 The four major research goals and specific recommen dations for each of these goals were identified. These recom mendations can be adapted and directed to prioritize research in various populations and clinical settings.