| Considerable
progress has been made since release of the original National
Sleep Disorders Research Plan in 1996. Resources expended by the
National Institutes of Health to study sleep and its disorders
have steadily increased (Appendix C). New scientific
techniques that facilitate research discovery are being applied
to sleep questions. This has led to an improved understanding
of normal sleep physiology and the pathogenesis of a variety of
sleep disorders. As a result, both access to care for patients
with sleep disorders and the quality of care are substantially
better. However, many research questions remain unanswered and
new questions need to be addressed, therapy for a number of sleep
disorders remains suboptimal, and the research workforce addressing
sleep science is inadequate. This Revised National Sleep Disorders
Research Plan presents a comprehensive summary of focused research,
training and education recommendations that addresses these opportunities
and needs. |
