Secrets of Sleep

Sleep: we all do it, but for scientists it's still not completely understood. What is sleep? Why do we sleep? How much do we normally need, and what happens if you don't get enough?

In recent years, the nature of sleep, our sleeping patterns and the dangers of lack of sleep have become increasingly relevant as people work longer hours, and the separation between workplace and home has been eroded by the mobile phone and the Internet.

You'll hear about all aspects of sleep, from snoring to sleeping sickness. Jim Horne, whose new book, Sleepfaring: A Journey Through the Science of Sleep, explores the science of sleep, will talk about why we sleep and what a good night’s rest means to body and mind. John Shneerson, one of the experts who took part in the BBC series, Sleep Clinic, and author of Sleep Medicine – A Guide to Sleep and Its Disorders, will tell us about sleepwalking, restless legs syndrome and the potential for violence during sleep.

Peter Kennedy, who has devoted much of his working life to researching sleeping sickness, one of Africa's major killers, has written a book, The Fatal Sleep. He will talk about the disease and his search for a treatment.

Join us to hear all about sleep from the experts and ask your own questions.

Event organised by:
The European Dana Alliance for the Brain

Speakers

Jim Horne, University of Loughborough
Peter Kennedy, University of Glasgow
John Shneerson, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge
Facilitator: Richard Morris, University of Edinburgh