One in three Australian adults have a sleep disorder such as insomnia, sleep apnoea and restless legs syndrome.
Poor sleep can lead to a range of negative health outcomes for those affected. Patients can experience daytime sleepiness, depression, poor memory and concentration and reduced decision-making ability. They are also at increased risk of cardiovascular disease including high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks, as well as diabetes and some cancers.
With sleep disorders costing the Australian community billions of dollars per year, the Institute for Breathing and Sleep is dedicated to better understanding and finding treatments for these conditions.
Since the Institute was established in 2000, our team has led successful research in a number of key areas including:
Sleep Research
Sleep research focuses on circadian rhythm disturbances (including shiftwork), insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea.
To find out about current IBAS sleep related projects, click here.
As some sleep conditions can be caused by breathing disorders, our research into sleep and breathing disorders is interlinked. To find out more about our respiratory research, click here.
More information on sleep conditions can be found at the Sleep Health Foundation, including what to do if you or someone you know has concerns about their sleep health.
Information sources: Sleep Health Foundation, 2011 Deloitte Access Economics report
Motor neurone disease (MND) causes the body's muscles to weaken. Breathing muscle weakness means that most people affected by MND will eventually lose the ability to take a deep breath and cough strongly....
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing is abnormal during sleep. There are two main forms of sleep apnea: obstructive and central. For obstructive sleep apnea, breathing is reduced because the airway...
RESPIRATORY BIOMARKERS IN MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
The inability to breathe is unfortunately the most common cause of death in people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Last year, our clinical research group in Melbourne reported that breathing...
Kudos to Dr. Lauren Booker & Dr. Jen Cori on their JOEM publication examining fatigue detection alarms in rural truck drivers. Their study explores the alarms' effectiveness, accuracy, and habituation, offering key insights into fatigue management.
HONORING EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
Congratulations to Prof. Anne Holland and A/Prof. Narelle Cox for being featured in the NHMRC's 10 of the Best - 16th Edition. Their work exemplifies groundbreaking research delivering extraordinary outcomes.
WORLD SLEEP DAY ON 14TH MARCH 2025
The benefits of quality sleep and to acknowledge the issue of sleep problems and their medical, educational, and social aspects as well as the prevention and management of sleep disorders, is promoted on World Sleep Day on the 14th March 2025.
Grants Success: The Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS) has received two research grants from the Austin Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) for 2025. Congratulations to Dr Charissa Zaga and Dr Catherine Hill from IBAS.
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