Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine

Idiopathic Hypersomnia: Current Diagnosis and Treatment

Idiopathic hypersomnia is probably at least as common and possibly more common than narcolepsy.  In this podcast, Dr. Michael Silber discusses current approaches to its diagnosis and pharmacologic management.

The Discovery of REM Sleep

Many date the start of the field of Sleep Medicine to the discovery of REM sleep by Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Kleitman in 1953.  But was it actually discovered 27 years earlier by Russian investigators?  In this podcast Dr. Michael Silber discusses the fascinating story of how REM sleep was identified and what this means for Sleep Medicine.

New hope for Narcolepsy: Is the Future Nearly Here?

The number of medications available to treat narcolepsy has grown dramatically in the last few years. While these have changed the landscape for patients, the future may hold even better treatments. In this podcast, Dr. Michael Silber discusses the currently available new medications and the development of orexin receptor agonists which may transform narcolepsy management.

The Diagnosis of Narcolepsy: Where does CSF orexin fit in?

How should we diagnose narcolepsy? In this podcast, Dr. Michael Silber explains when measuring CSF Orexin-A can be helpful and how to interpret the results.

45 Years of the MSLT: Where are we now?

The multiple sleep latency test was developed in 1978. While it is still the standard test used for the diagnosis of central disorders of hypersomnolence, its interpretation is complex and many factors can affect the validity of its results. In this podcast, Dr. Michael Silber discusses the practical use of the MSLT in 2024.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Day-To-Day Practice

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the first-line therapy recommended for chronic insomnia. What does it comprise and who should teach it? Is Internet-based therapy available and effective? In this podcast, Dr. Mark Hansen discusses practical use of CBT-I for healthcare practitioners.

Search for the Perfect Hypnotic: Orexin Antagonists and Other Agents

The search for the perfect hypnotic continues. In this podcast, Dr. Bhanu Kolla discusses the new dual orexin receptor antagonists, antidepressants and other agents used to treat insomnia.

The Z-Drugs: Truths and Myths for the Clinician

The Z drugs are the most commonly prescribed hypnotics but are widely misunderstood. In this podcast, Dr. Bhanu Kolla discusses truth and myths for the clinician prescribing these drugs.