Sleep and Respiratory

The major focus of the Sleep and respiratory research group is on  Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). OSA is a highly prevalent condition which is associated with symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as an increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, depression and cognitive impairment. The major risk factor is obesity.

Research interests

We have a range of research interests, including but not limited to:

  • understanding OSA physiology as a means of predicting treatment response and exploring new treatment approaches
  • the interaction between obesity and sleep.

Our current research strategy is built around the idea that the pathogenesis of OSA is driven by the interaction of several physiological traits. These traits provide multiple targets for individual or combinations of interventions that could effectively treat this disorder on an individual patient basis. We work closely with the Department of Physiology at the BASE (Be Active Sleep and Eat) facility, as well as the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food at BASE.

Adult sleep medicine projects span both clinical sleep medicine and the underlying pathophysiology of sleep disorders.

Researchers