The 2008 Cutting Edge of Sleep Conference: New Research; New Directions will take place December 1-3, 2008 at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Keynote speaker, Allan Hobson, MD  raises this question: Is the sleep state truly a mystery or does it, like wakefulness, have its own set of predominant functions such as survival and procreation?   Dr. Hobson has also remarked that the benefits of sleep are conferred via temperature regulation, energy management, and information organization, the most spectacular manifestation being that of waking consciousness.  These points and many more will be examined in this scientific seminar designed to provoke a new awareness of sleep.  It offers the opportunity for participants to be exposed to  a wide ranging panel of experts in the world of sleep and to hear their thoughts about the direction this field is taking and the reasons sleep is fast becoming recognized as an integral factor in disease processes. 

The conference panel is comprised of leaders in their respective fields covering the major aspects  of sleep.  Sleep research is an important and rapidly growing area of interest; gaining recognition as a primary and significant contributant to both psychological and neurological disorders.  It is becoming increasingly apparent that sleep issues and the need to resolve them have pervasive effects in many aspects of overall physical and mental health.   If for no other reason than this, it is essential that clinicians from all disciplines understand the world of sleep sufficiently to provide the most effective and up to date care to their patients.

Jointly sponsored by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine
and United Psychological Services.