Sleep & Neurophysiology Research Laboratory
Do You Want to Volunteer?
Our primary method of recruitment is through a secure online screening form. Visit us at Sleepless in Rochester to complete the form.
Our research group has dedicated itself to the study of the causes, consequences, and treatments for insomnia. While the vision for sleep research at URMC broadens, we continue to refine our questions about the nature of insomnia, how its myriad representations can best be treated, and what broad and enduring health benefits can accrue from its proper management. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce the public health burden of insomnia through both clinical and translational research that not only improves insomnia, but decreases the risk it poses for the development or worsening of other illnesses.
It is important to acknowledge that our ability to conduct insomnia research is not only dependent on the work efforts of our staff and faculty here at the Sleep & Neurophysiology Research Laboratory, our colleagues throughout the University, funding from the NIH and pharmaceutical industry, and infrastructure support from our department and the University, but also our many study volunteers.
The work we do could not be done without the time and energy given to us by our volunteer participants. Our group, as well as all patients with insomnia, owes each and all of them a debt of gratitude.
Our Mission
Current work in the lab includes a focus on the cognitive-behavioral treatment of insomnia and related sleep disturbances across a number of co-morbid conditions, such as depression, chronic pain, and post-traumatic stress-disorder; the investigation of novel hypnotic medications; and the assessment of sleep homeostasis, neuro-endocrine, and neuro-immune alterations that occur in sleep disturbances. Ultimately, our goal is to reduce the public health burden of sleep disturbances (especially insomnia) through both clinical and translational research that not only improves sleep, but contributes to broad and enduring health benefits that can accrue from its proper management.
Dr. Sara Matteson-Rusby, a research faculty member in our lab, also directs and sees patients in our Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic housed at the Strong Sleep Disorders Center.