Sleep

‘Sleep gene’ offers clues about why we need our zzzs

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer SPOKANE, Wash. – Washington State University researchers have seen how a particular gene is involved in the quality of sleep experienced by three different animals, including humans. The gene and its function open a new avenue for scientists exploring how sleep works and why animals need it so badly.

New study to investigate role of sleep in chronic pain

By Judith Van Dongen, WSU Spokane SPOKANE, Wash. – Washington State University will lead a study to understand the relationship between sleep and chronic pain, part of a nationwide effort to address the rising abuse of opioid pain relievers and expand the arsenal of non-drug treatment options.

$1.7M to counteract poor decision-making due to sleep loss

By Judith Van Dongen, WSU Spokane SPOKANE, Wash. – Researchers from Washington State University’s Sleep and Performance Research Center received a $1.7 million grant to develop and test cognitive flexibility training to combat the effects of sleep loss on decision-making under rapidly changing circumstances.