ANZSSA PLENARY: Sleepless secrets unveiled: bridging neuroscience, measurement and practice in insomnia
| Friday, October 18, 2024 |
| 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM |
| Arena 1B |
Details
How can we characterise insomnia, a disorder that is complex and multifaceted? What are the challenges of measuring objective sleep disturbance and subjective symptomatology in insomnia? How can we implement knowledge of the neurobiology of insomnia to optimise best practices for patient care? What is the best way to approach comorbid insomnia management?
Speakers will share their knowledge followed by an interactive panel discussion.
Prof. Eus Van Someren, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, will discuss who is at risk of insomnia, describe the neurobiology and mechanisms of insomnia and share insights from CBT-I and circadian rhythm support studies.
A/Prof. Amy Reynolds, Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, will present from a researcher clinician perspective and outline the challenges of approaching insomnia when there are extra comorbidities, such as sleep apnea and shift work.
Dr Keith Johnson, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research is a neuropsychiatrist and sleep specialist who will provide a clinical perspective of the assessment of insomnia and treatment in a mental health setting.
Speaker
Dr Rick Wassing
Postdoctral Research Fellow
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research / Macquarie University
Chair: Introduction
8:30 AM - 8:35 AMBiography
Prof Eus Van Someren
Group Leader
Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience
Emerging insights in the mechanisms of insomnia, its treatment and the prevention of adverse consequences for mental health
8:35 AM - 8:55 AMBiography
Eus Van Someren leads insomnia research at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience. He studied physics, psychophysiology, neuropsychology, and has a cum laude PhD in neurobiology. His research spans fundamental and applied research on to unravel brain mechanisms of insomnia and treatment to prevent mental illness. He acquired the most acquired prestigious grants and co-authored over 300 widely read publications (h-index 81) in leading journals including Jama and Nature Genetics & Neuroscience. He ignited citizen-science with ten thousands of good- and bad-sleeping volunteers via slaapregister.nl. His informal manner and enthusiasm make him an often-requested speaker for general audiences, including at TED-X.
Assoc Prof Amy Reynolds
Associate Professor, Clinical Sleep Health
Flinders University
Approaching insomnia when there are extra challenges: Occupational and medical considerations
8:55 AM - 9:15 AMBiography
Associate Professor Amy Reynolds is a clinical epidemiologist and provisional psychologist with research expertise in the relationships between non-standard work schedules (particularly shift work), health and safety. She is the current co-lead of the insomnia, shift work and body clock disruption theme at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Flinders University.
Her key research focus is the experiences of shift workers living with sleep problems, many of which go undiagnosed and untreated for extended periods of time. She uses mixed research methodologies in her research program, including working with large datasets, such as the multigenerational Raine Study, qualitative approaches, and intervention trials.
Dr Keith Johnson
Honorary Research Fellow
Woolcock Institute of Medical Research / Macquarie University
Neuropsychiatry in the assessment and management of insomnia disorder
9:15 AM - 9:35 AMBiography
Keith Johnson is a clinical neuropsychiatrist with a clinical specialisation in sleep, particularly insomnia disorder, and development cognitive disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He completed a MMed in Sleep Medicine and a PhD examining the neurophysiological underpinnings of the insomnia with short sleep duration subtype at the University of Sydney in 2017 and 2022 respectively. He completed a Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology at Harvard University in 2024.
Mrs Nicole Verginis
Chief Clinical Scientist
Monash Children's Hospital
Chair
Biography
