News

Depression. Bipolar disorder. Substance use. Alzheimer’s disease. Diabetes. Obesity. Cardiovascular disease. Accidental death.

What do these seemingly disparate psychiatric and physical disorders have in common? 

Each of them is linked to disruption of sleep and circadian rhythms. The Center for Sleep and Circadian Science (CSCS) is an internationally-recognized group of investigators, educators, and clinicians united around a common vision: To optimize health through sleep and circadian science.  

The CSCS was formally established in 2017 by investigators from multiple schools, departments and divisions at the University of Pittsburgh. A Steering Committee, chaired by Daniel Buysse, MD, oversees the activities of the CSCS.  The mission of the CSCS is to advance the science and practice of sleep and circadian medicine through innovations in research, education, and clinical care. 

CSCS faculty, trainees, and staff are engaged in a wide range of research projects focused on sleep and circadian biology. Undergraduate, graduate, medical student/resident, and postdoctoral trainees gain valuable hands on research experience by working closely with CSCS faculty from across the University of Pittsburgh campus, including the Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Psychology, Department of Neuroscience, School of Nursing, and Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine in the Department of Medicine. CSCS research programs investigate the critical role that sleep and circadian rhythms play in physical, mental, and cognitive health across the lifespan. Center investigators and staff have also developed important tools widely used by researchers across the country and abroad. The tool kit includes a cadre of instruments to facilitate sleep assessment including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Consensus Sleep Diary, and the Structured Interview for DSM-5 Sleep Disorders.

In addition to cutting edge research, the CSCS also provides education and training to the next generation of sleep and circadian researchers and clinicians.  The federally funded Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine program, funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, primarily focuses on postdoctoral training of PhD- and MD-level trainees, but also offers opportunities for mentored medical student research. Clinical training is available through the Center’s ACGME-accredited sleep medicine fellowship, and a Behavioral Sleep Medicine training fellowship accredited by the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Center faculty also serve as mentors and consultants to a number other T32 postdoctoral, medical student, and undergraduate research programs. 

CSCS Research Day, held each year in November, brings together the University’s sleep and circadian research community for workshops, symposia, poster presentations, and nationally-recognized invited speakers. Weekly Multidisciplinary Sleep Medicine Conferences include state-of-the-art Grand Rounds presentations, journal clubs, and Research in Progress meetings. Each of these formats provide a supportive venue for trainees and faculty to learn more about sleep and circadian science, and to obtain valuable feedback on their research ideas. Conferences are open to the entire University community and are held at 4:00 PM on Thursday afternoons in the Starzl Biomedical Science Tower, Room 1295. 

Learn more about the Center for Sleep and Circadian Science by clicking here.