Sleep Neurobiology, Medicine, and Society

The objective of this course is to give students the most up-to-date information on the biological, personal, and societal relevance of sleep. Personal relevance is emphasized by the fact that the single best predictor of daytime performance is the quality of the previous night’s sleep. The brain actively generates sleep, and the first section of the course is an overview of the neurobiological basis of sleep control. The course provides cellular-level understanding of how sleep deprivation, jet lag, and substances such as alcohol, ,caffeine, and nicotine alter sleep and wakefulness. The second section of the course covers sleep-dependent changes in physiology and sleep disorders medicine. Particular emphasis will be placed on disorders of excessive sleepiness, insomnia, and sleep-dependent changes in autonomic control. Chronic sleep deprivation impairs immune function and may promote obesity. Deaths due to all causes are most frequent between 4:00 and 6:00 a.m., and this second section of the class highlights the relevance of sleep for preventive medicine. The societal relevance of sleep will be considered in the final section of the class. In an increasingly complex and technologically oriented society, operator-error by one individual can have a disastrous negative impact on public health and safety. Fatigue-related performance decrements are known to have contributed as causal factors to nuclear power plant failures, transportation disasters, and medical errors.

None

Syllabus

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week 1
Unit 01 - Neurobiology Section: Course Introduction & Neurobiology of Sleep and Wakefulness (Part One) - (Standard Track & Honors Track)
Week 2
Unit 02 - Neurobiology Section: Neurobiology of Sleep and Wakefulness (Part Two) - (Honors Track)
Week 3
Unit 03 - Neurobiology: Mathematical Modeling of Sleep-Wake Regulation - (Honors Track)
Week 4
Unit 04 - Neurobiology: Molecular Biology and Genetics of Sleep - (Honors Track)
Week 5
Unit 05 - Medicine: Overview of Sleep Medicine - Ronald Chervin, M.D. - (Standard Track)
Week 6
Unit 06 - Medicine: Disordered Sleep and Breathing Alters Cardiovascular Health - (Standard Track)
Week 7
Unit 07 - Medicine: Sleep and Psychiatric Disorders - (Standard Track)
Week 8
Unit 08 - Medicine: Insomnia: Causes and Consequences - (Standard Track)
Week 9
Unit 09 - Medicine: Treatments for Insomnia - (Standard Track)
Week 10
Unit 10 - Medicine: Sleep and Anesthesia - (Standard Track)
Week 11
Unit 11 - Society: Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Health - (Standard Track)
Week 12
Unit 12 - Society: Daytime Sleepiness and Sleep Need - Thomas Roth, Ph.D. (Standard Track)

FAQ

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.

What is the refund policy?

You will be eligible for a full refund until two weeks after your payment date, or (for courses that have just launched) until two weeks after the first session of the course begins, whichever is later. You cannot receive a refund once you’ve earned a Course Certificate, even if you complete the course within the two-week refund period. See our full refund policy.

Is financial aid available?

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Reviews

I really loved this course . I recommend everyone who are taking this course to take the honors sections because they will definitely enrich you.

to tell the truth, this is the ever first online class I have ever learnt. This is so amazing, useful for a neurologist like me. Love this and still wait for an advanced course of this online class

I have earned sincere knowledge that could only be transmitted by experienced professors and researchers, thanks for the ultimate experience.

This is good enough to understand about the basic of sleeping.. Everyone should take this course it has good knowledge.Teachers are nice.