Each of us spends almost a third of our life asleep. Sleep is important for normal life processes including blood, metabolism, immune, endocrine, and brain activity. Neuroimaging studies of sleep disorders have not received as much attention as other psychiatric diseases. Here, we introduce some new findings in neuroimaging field of sleep disorders from five chapters in different aspects.

Abstract: Each of us spends almost a third of our life asleep. Thus, obviously, sleep is a necessary physical need in human life. After sleep, the tired nerve cells and the biological characteristics of long-distance signal transmission recover to normal physiological function. In general, precise control of the sleep process is the basis of normal life processes including blood, metabolism, immune, endocrine, and brain activity, and is key to plasticity formation, information processing, and function implementation [(1-5); Dai et al.]. Sleep has played a minor role as object of research for a long time. Yet, recently there is a growing public interest in sleep. Sleep disorders are a major public health problem and widespread in today's society. In modern society, more and more people undergo an increased curtailment of daily sleep because of work overtime, exam preparation, shift working and long-term working or driving, resulting in an increased incidence of sleep disorders. The disturbed and/or interrupted sleep may be associated with a number of clinical conditions and has a detrimental effect on attention, working memory, executive functioning, emotion, or even metabolism. Nowadays, important challenges are posed to sleep disorders for which approved treatments are of limited efficacy. Although there is surprising upsurge in neuroimaging findings in addressing the brain structural and functional changes associated with sleep disorders and circadian disruption, it is still difficult to glean a consistent story about its neuropathology of brain alterations. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of brain structural and functional changes associated with sleep disorders and circadian disruption are needed. The aim of this Research Topic is to contribute to a better understanding of the link between brain and sleep disorders, and offer an up-to-date view on how sleep affects our brain

An up-to-date, superbly illustrated practical guide to the effective use of neuroimaging in the patient with sleep disorders. The only book to date to provide comprehensive coverage of this topic. A must for all healthcare workers interested in understanding the causes, consequences and treatment of sleep disorders.

This up-to-date, superbly illustrated book is a practical guide to the effective use of neuroimaging in the patient with sleep disorders. There are detailed reviews of new neuroimaging techniques – including CT, MRI, advanced MR techniques, SPECT and PET – as well as image analysis methods, their roles and pitfalls. Neuroimaging of normal sleep and wake states is covered plus the role of neuroimaging in conjunction with tests of memory and how sleep influences memory consolidation. Each chapter carefully presents and analyzes the key findings in patients with sleep disorders indicating the clinical and imaging features of the various sleep disorders from clinical presentation to neuroimaging, aiding in establishing an accurate diagnosis. Written by neuroimaging experts from around the world, Neuroimaging of Sleep and Sleep Disorders is an invaluable resource for both researchers and clinicians including sleep specialists, neurologists, radiologists, psychiatrists, psychologists.

Dr. Phyllis Zee has put together an expert panel of authors on the topic of the Science of Circadian Rhythms. Articles include: Neurobiology of Circadian Rhythm Regulation, Effect of Light and Melatonin and other Melatonin Receptor Agonists on Human Circadian Physiology, Consequences of Circadian Disruption on Cardiometabolic Health, Consequences Circadian Disruption on Neurologic and Psychiatric Health, Aging and Circadian Rhythms, Circadian and Homeostatic Regulation of Sleep and Performance, Circadian disruption in Psychiatric Disorders, and more!

Clinical practice related to sleep problems and sleep disorders has been expanding rapidly in the last few years, but scientific research is not keeping pace. Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome are three examples of very common disorders for which we have little biological information. This new book cuts across a variety of medical disciplines such as neurology, pulmonology, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, psychology, otolaryngology, and nursing, as well as other medical practices with an interest in the management of sleep pathology. This area of research is not limited to very young and old patientsâ€"sleep disorders reach across all ages and ethnicities. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation presents a structured analysis that explores the following: Improving awareness among the general public and health care professionals. Increasing investment in interdisciplinary somnology and sleep medicine research training and mentoring activities. Validating and developing new and existing technologies for diagnosis and treatment. This book will be of interest to those looking to learn more about the enormous public health burden of sleep disorders and sleep deprivation and the strikingly limited capacity of the health care enterprise to identify and treat the majority of individuals suffering from sleep problems.

Sleep-related complaints are extremely common across the spectrum of psychiatric illness. Accurate diagnosis and management of sleep disturbances requires an understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying sleep and wakefulness, the characteristics of sleep disturbance inherent to psychiatric illness and primary sleep disorders, as well as the psychopharmacologic and behavioral treatments available. Foundations of Psychiatric Sleep Medicine provides a uniquely accessible, practical, and expert summary of current clinical concepts at the sleep-psychiatry interface. Topics covered include: basic principles in sleep science, clinical sleep history taking, primary sleep disorders in psychiatric contexts, and sleep disturbance across a range of mood, anxiety, psychotic, substance use, cognitive and developmental disorders. Written by outstanding experts in the field of sleep medicine and psychiatry, this academically rigorous and clinically useful text is an essential resource for psychiatrists, psychologists and other health professionals interested in the relationship between sleep and mental illness.