Table 3.

Proposed Research Recommendations in Sleep Research from the Society for Women's Health Research Sleep Roundtable

A. Examine sex differences to

1. Understand hormonal effects on sleep mechanisms;

2. Determine the risk for sleep disorders;

3. Study circadian rhythms disruption leading to sleep disorders;

4. Determine stress and pain response to sleep deprivation;

5. Understand the effect of sedatives on sleep mechanisms;

6. Analyze pharmacodynamics of existing sleep drugs;

7. Determine fetal outcomes to poor sleep quality; and

8. Analyze large available datasets for novel biomarkers, objective sleep quality measures, and genetic polymorphisms.

B. Examine gender differences to

1. Explore response to novel drugs;

2. Understand source of objective and subjective discordance;

3. Determine CPAP adherence;

4. Understand social determinants for diagnosis of sleep disorders; and

5. Analyze sleep patterns of various ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups.

C. Utilize animal models to

1. Study steroid mechanism on neural circuitry and neurochemistry;

2. Understand sleep and circadian disruption on reproductive function;

3. Determine relationship between sleep disturbances and inflammation;

4. Understand the effect of sex hormones on sedative–hypnotics; and

5. Determine the link between sex-specific sleep mechanisms and PTSD.

D. Conduct studies specifically in women to

1. Understand the relationship between comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea;

2. Utilize best combination therapies for maximal results;

3. Compare different treatment modalities for menopausal sleep disturbances;

4. Determine effective management of new onset sleep disorders during pregnancy;

5. Determine effective therapies for premenstrual sleep disturbances;

6. Understand change in drug response as a function of menstrual cycle and menopausal status;

7. Develop screening instruments for sleep patterns pertinent to women; and

8. Develop novel techniques to reconcile objective and subjective reporting.

Based on existing knowledge gaps in the sleep field, the discussions at the roundtable meeting led to the identification of key recommendations listed in the table.

PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder.