Dec 2023
We have been asked to post a clinical study of advanced and delayed sleep (called Circadia) to the CSD-N site for recruitment purposes. Circadia is an online research study to understand circadian rhythm disorders and they are looking for people diagnosed with circadian rhythm disorders to join their completely remote, at-home study. You will be paid. More info can be found on the study website: https://lanelab.bwh.harvard.edu/circadia-study/
Nov 24, 2023
On Nov-24 we celebrate Non-24 Awareness Day! This day is dedicated to raising awareness about Non-24 sleep-wake disorder, a circadian rhythm disorder that causes sleep patterns to be out of sync with the 24-hour day. Non-24 can have a major impact on quality of life, but it is often misunderstood and underdiagnosed. Join us in spreading the word and helping people with non-24 get the support they need!
For more information see our Non-24 Q&A.
Nov 2023
Circadian Sleep Disorders Network opened nominations for the Board of Directors in October. Three incumbents whose terms were expiring - Samuel Bearg, Sarah Hazelwood, and Peter Mansbach - were re-nominated. A fourth vacant slot was available, but nobody volunteered to run before the Nov 10 deadline.
Per the Bylaws, since there were not more candidates than open slots, there was no requirement to conduct a formal election, and the three incumbents were deemed re-elected.
There are six additional incumbents whose terms were not expiring, for a total of nine board members.
Oct 2023
Circadian Sleep Disorders Network will be holding elections for its Board of Directors. Requirements are described in www.circadiansleepdisorders.org/docs/ReqDir.php.
Meetings are held by online forum, so you can log in at any time of day to read what's been posted and post your replies. Meetings do continue for two months or more, though often not very actively.
If you're interested, please let us know soon (latest Nov 10), following the instructions at the end of the above document. Directors start serving January 15, 2024. Terms generally run for two years.
We are also often looking for other volunteers willing to help. These can be board members but do not have to be. If you're interested in volunteering, please let us know.
June 17, 2023
On June 17 Naomi Mittet, our secretary, was interviewed on the Chezuba Talks podcast with Tej Patil. She discusses her life as a DSPD parent caring for her Non-24 child.
Listen to the interview here. Chezuba describes:
"In this enlightening episode of Awake and Aware, join host Tej as she delves into the world of circadian rhythm sleep disorders with expert guest Naomi Mittet. As an advocate for those affected by these disorders, Naomi sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with non-24 sleep-wake disorder and delayed sleep phase disorder. Together, they explore the impact of these disorders on physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while discussing the importance of recognition, diagnosis, and treatment."Chezuba's mission is to empower companies to make a difference, including matching corporate volunteers with nonprofits.
Several days later Naomi was interviewed on Handi-Link with Cam Wells of CJAM radio. Handi-Link is a series of interviews focused on disability issues. As the interviewer notes, poor sleep makes all disabilities worse.
You can listen to this interview
here. Click in the circle at bottom to listen. Naomi's portion starts at 1124 (you can click on the outside circle to jump ahead).
June 3 - 7, 2023
Thirty-five hundred sleep professionals converged on Indianapolis the first week in June to learn about the latest research and treatments for sleep disorders at the SLEEP2023 conference.
Circadian rhythms were a major topic of discussion, and CSD-N was there with its own booth in the "Advocacy Pavilion" of the exhibit area, staffed by CSD-N board member Leslie Head. Conference rules require someone to be present at the booth all day, which doesn't work for those of us with circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Leslie appealed to the organizers, pointing out the irony of a sleep conference excluding people with our sleep disorders. They allowed her to be present part time, and provided a sign to that effect. (Photos above show our banners and the sign.).
Dr. Phyllis C. Zee, a member of the CSD-N Medical Advisory Board, delivered the conference keynote address entitled Bridging Circadian and Sleep Science to Enhance Healthspan. Alex Wharton, another CSD-N board member, prepared a well-received presentation for a Patient Advocacy Panel that discussed How Health Disparities, Lack of Awareness, and Payer Policies Ultimately Impact the Patient.
Leslie distributed brochures at the CSD-N booth and spoke with researchers from Harvard and Stanford who are searching for biomarkers in blood samples of DSPD patients, as well as a researcher from the University of Nevada at Reno who is studying the pupils of DSPD patients to gauge their reactivity to light. Several physicians asked for us to design a brochure that they could present to newly diagnosed circadian rhythm patients. We'll be following up on that.
April 2023
The CSD-N Board of Directors is pleased to announce the election of board member Naomi Mittet as Secretary. She replaces Samuel Bearg, who resigned for personal reasons. We thank him for his service.
April 6-7, 2023
CSD-N board member Alexandra Wharton is serving on the NIH SDRAB (Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board) representing the circadian rhythm sleep disorders patient community.
SDRAB is a Federal Advisory Committee established by legislation in 1993 to provide advice on matters related to research in sleep health and disorders.
Its mission includes improving sleep disorder diagnoses, quantifying the benefits of treatment, and elucidating molecular and genomic biomarkers suitable for use in screening.
A number of researchers gave presentations at the meeting April 6 - 7, and Alexandra spoke up several times to urge additional consideration of circadian rhythm sleep disorders. She also urged research on potential circadian rhythm influences other than light.
Feb 2023
The CSD-N Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of board member Naomi Mittet as Newsletter Editor. She hopes to publish the next edition soon.
Mar 2023
And here it is!
 Leslie Head |
 Naomi Mittet |
Jan 2023
CSD-N welcomes two new board members, Leslie Head and Naomi Mittet. They begin serving their two-year terms on Jan 15.
Leslie has a law degree and worked as a corporate attorney until her DSPD caught up with her.
Naomi has a daughter with sighted Non-24, which led her to discover that she herself has DSPD. They are both eager to help with our goals of raising awareness of and encouraging reseach into these disorders.
Four current board members have also been re-elected: Andrew Cowen, James Fadden, Lynn McGovern, and Alexandra Wharton. Four other directors have terms which don't expire until next year.
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Archived News 2011 - 2012 (incomplete)
