Sleep Deprivation: Basic Science, Physiology and Behavior PDF

Preface

"That we are not much sicker and much madder than we are is due exclusively to that most blessed and blessing of all natural graces, sleep."

"Be alert. The world needs more lerts."

I remember this prominent sticker posted on the office door of Dr. Mary Carskadon, when she was at Stanford University. Since her office was next to the entrance of the Sleep Research Laboratory where I conducted undergraduate sleep research, this was the first item I saw when I entered and exited the lab. Needless to say, these words became forever stamped on my mind and, in a modern society in which increased work and family commitments threaten sleep, these are undoubtedly words to live by.

The field of sleep research is experiencing an enviable period of growth since the discovery of REM sleep in 1953. Yet there are still fundamental questions in our field that remain unanswered; many of these questions are within the realm of sleep loss and sleep deprivation. Fortunately, there are many talented investigators who have assumed the responsibility of answering some of these questions, and we look forward to their important breakthroughs.

This work is a direct outcome of the vision and efforts of Dr. Claude Lenfant at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. This monograph could Preface not exist without the outstanding contributions of the talented group of international authors; their diligent work is greatly appreciated. I am deeply indebted to the renowned and true pioneers of our field, Drs. William C. Dement and Allan Reschtschaffen, who provided both direct and indirect supportive expertise for this project. In all of my endeavors, I can always count on my parents, Samiko and Hiroshi Kushida, to assist me; this monograph was no exception.

Lastly, the major theme of this work is that sleep deprivation has profound repercussions on the well-being of the individual and society. It is my sincere hope that the reader becomes proactive and participates in our field's crusade to eliminate sleep loss. The following goals may serve to guide the reader in this crusade:

• To strive to eliminate personal sleep debt, and to encourage others to do the same.
• To prevent those who are sleep deprived from operating motor vehicles or hazardous machinery, or otherwise placing themselves or others in unsafe situations.
• To advise those who are persistently sleepy to seek medical opinion.
• To educate the public on the importance of sleep, and to advocate social change in educational and professional situations where sleep deprivation is currently the norm.