Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine

Epizode

• Does Sleep Apnea Lead to Parkinson’s Disease? 23.06.2026 19min

  A recent article suggested that obstructive sleep apnea was a possible risk factor for Parkinson's disease.  In this podcast, we discuss this important study and its implications, as well as the more general assessment of increasingly available similar studies based on large population data bases.
• The Weird World of Sleep in Autoimmune Encephalopathies: Part 2 08.06.2026 21min

  Autoimmune encephalopathies, although rare, can mimic other more common sleep disorders and most are highly treatable.  Therefore it is important for sleep medicine practitioners to be aware of these conditions, which may present first to a sleep clinic.  This podcast describes how these disorders may present with important insights for sleep specialists.
• The Weird World of Sleep in Autoimmune Encephalopathies: Part 1 28.05.2026 23min

  Autoimmune encephalopathies, although rare, can mimic other more common sleep disorders and most are highly treatable.  Therefore it is important for sleep medicine practitioners to be aware of these conditions, which may present first to a sleep clinic.  This podcast describes how these disorders may present with important insights for sleep specialists.
• Sleep and Epilepsy 13.05.2026 24min

  Epileptic seizures, especially in certain epileptic syndromes, are more common during sleep.  Conversely, seizures can disturb sleep, affecting daytime alertness.  Nocturnal seizures may also mimic the parasomnias that are more familiar to sleep medicine practitioners.  This podcast discusses practical aspects of these relationships.
• Sleep in Multiple System Atrophy 29.04.2026 21min

  While less common than its cousin, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy is commonly associated with severe sleep disturbances, at least one of which may be life threatening. In this podcast we discuss how to identify these disorders, their significance and management.
• Nocturnal Hallucinations 16.04.2026 18min

  Hallucinations at night may be frightening and distressing.  Some may indeed indicate serious disease but most are harmless.  In this podcast we discussed different types of nocturnal hallucinations, their causes and the conditions with which they may be confused.
• Sleep Disordered Breathing in ALS 01.04.2026 25min

  Sleep specialists are often asked to initiate non-invasive ventilation for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The guest on our podcast today, Dr. Peter Gay, a world expert in this area, provides very helpful practical information to guide this process.
• Headaches and Sleep 20.03.2026 17min

  Most headache sufferers are well aware of the relationship between their disorder and sleep. In in this podcast, we discuss how understanding this association may assist our patients with both their pain and their sleep disturbances.
• Sleep in Alzheimer Disease 05.03.2026 19min

  Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. In this podcast, we discuss the intimate relationship between sleep, sleep disorders and Alzheimer disease.
• Update on Idiopathic Hypersomnia 20.02.2026 25min

  Idiopathic hypersomnia is sometimes regarded as the stepchild of narcolepsy. But it may be more common than its better known relation. In this podcast, we discussed the diagnosis and management of this elusive disorder. 
• Narcolepsy in Childhood and Adolescence 04.02.2026 18min

  Narcolepsy most commonly starts in adolescence. But how it presents and how it is diagnosed may be different from an adult presentation. In this podcast, we discuss narcolepsy and its management in childhood and adolescence.
• The Child Who Snores 17.01.2026 14min

  Although obstructive sleep apnea is most common in older adults, it can also be seen in children, often resulting in severe morbidity.  In this podcast, we discuss how to identify sleep apnea in the pediatric population and approaches to its management.
• The child who cannot sleep 24.12.2025 20min

  Parents of children with insomnia know how distressing this condition can be.  In this podcast, we discuss possible causes and how best to help children and families.
• Late to bed and late to rise: Delayed Sleep-wake phase disorder 11.12.2025 22min

  Being unable to fall asleep until well after midnight and preferring to sleep until at least mid morning causes serious impairment to school and work attendance and performance.  In this podcast, we discuss the nature of delayed sleep-wake phase disorder and approaches to management.
• Jet lag: Traveling across time 25.11.2025 14min

  Anyone who has traveled across time zones has experienced jet lag and there are many online suggestions for counteracting the effects. In this podcast a circadian rhythm expert discussed what measures are most likely to help.
• The Shift Worker 11.11.2025 17min

  About a fifth of U.S. workers do shift work. This podcast examines how sleep professionals can best help shift workers perform and live optimally.
• Advocating for school start times 31.10.2025 12min

  How can sleep professionals help advocate for later school start times for adolescents? In this podcast we meet a sleep specialist who was successful in his efforts.
• How Long Should We Sleep? And When? 15.10.2025 15min

  Insufficient sleep is an epidemic in modern life. But how long should we optimally sleep? Is biphasic sleep healthy? This podcast addresses issues of optimal length and timing of sleep and the consequences of sleep deprivation.
• 3% or 4%: The changing landscape of hypopneas 26.09.2025 19min

  The AASM recommendation that laboratories use the 3%/arousal definition of hypopnea is in conflict with the definition used by CMS. This podcast explores practical scenarios raised by this issue.
• Adventures with CPAP: A Physician's Journey 11.09.2025 13min

  A sleep specialist discusses his personal struggles and successes with using CPAP