Research summary
Poor sleep affects a third of the adult population and is linked to cognitive decline, mental health disorders, and chronic diseases. Yet many aspects of this relationship remain poorly understood. As Canada Research Chair in Sleep Disorders and Brain Health, Dr. Nadia Gosselin is investigating how sleep disorders affect brain health, with a focus on dementia risk and hypersomnia related to long COVID. (Hypersomnia involves excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep, even when someone is getting enough rest.)
Gosselin has already shown that sleep apnea alters brain structure, especially in women. Now, she and her research team are exploring how sleep quality influences cognitive and psychological well-being. They are building Canada’s sleep research ecosystem, developing a national sleep biobank, data banks and advanced analysis platforms. Their work aims to ensure that sleep is recognized as a key factor in long-term brain and mental health.