Yu Hayashi, Ph.D. | Kyoto University
Competition Sponsor: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
Awardee Year: 2020
Sleep architecture is a term that refers to the alternating cycles of REM sleep and non-REM sleep. Sleep architecture changes dramatically with age, especially evident in the reduction of REM sleep. However, little is known about the mechanisms of sleep architecture and its impact on health. Based on our discovery of neurons that control the sleep architecture, we aim to elucidate the mechanisms of sleep architecture disruption due to aging or diseases and how it affects the functional decline of individuals. Moreover, we aim to develop methods for improving the sleep architecture. These approaches are expected to lead to innovative cures for functional declines associated with aging as well as neurodegenerative diseases or lifestyle-related diseases with high unmet medical needs. Innovations that incorporate a new perspective of the sleep architecture may contribute to the well-being of elderlies in terms of physical, mental, and social health, which in turn may promote their active social participation and reduce the burden on families and caregivers.
To learn more about this proposal email healthylongevity@nas.edu.
View this project poster, first displayed at the 2021 Global Innovator Summit.