[nfbwatlk] FW: [rehab] Sleep study

[Noel Nightingale]

-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jeff Altman
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 11:05 AM
To: Rehab List Serve (rehab list serve)
Subject: [rehab] Sleep study


Hi Folks,
 
I don't know whether this research is appropriate or not, but if you
know of anyone that might be interested in participating, the
information is below.
 
Jeff Altman
 
***
My name is Kitt Woods, and I am a research assistant in the Sleep and
Mood Disorders Laboratory of OHSU in Portland, Oregon. I obtained this
email address from the Through the Looking Glass website as a contact. I
am writing you to ask for your help in reaching blind children/adults
who may be interested in participating in a study currently taking place
through our lab under the direction of Dr. Alfred Lewy and Dr. Kyle
Johnson. The purpose of our research study is to identify abnormal body
rhythms and sleeping patterns in children and adults with little or no
light perception. This population often experiences difficulty sleeping,
since the daily light cycle does not reset the internal clocks of blind
people, as it does in sighted people. Our research group has
successfully used the hormone melatonin to correct sleep problems in
blind adults, and we are now investigating this circadian rhythm
disorder in children and young adults. We will be examining how these
free-running natural body rhythms in blind children affect sleep quality
and social/academic functioning. We are particularly interested in
focusing on recruiting child/young adult participants (ages 7-20),
though we are enrolling adult and elderly participants as well. Study
participation can be carried out through saliva sampling at home, so we
are currently enrolling participants from anywhere in the nation. We
provide all supplies for sampling & cover all participation-related
costs. We are also working on sampling methods in young children, and
may admit participants younger than age 7 in the future. Study
guidelines do not permit us to contact potential participants directly
- however, we can work through an intermediate individual or agency to
provide information about the study to potential participants. I have
attached an announcement about our study to this email, as well as a
letter directed to parents of blind children. If you would be able to
pass this information along (listservs/publications, or directly to
families that may be interested, etc.), we would greatly appreciate it!
If you have any suggestions about how to reach this group, I would be
very happy to receive them. Please feel free to email me and/or Dr.
Johnson (I have cc'ed him on this email). You can also reach me or
another research assistant, Jeannie Songer, by phone at (503) 418-4144.
Thank you very much for your help, and I hope to hear from you soon.
Kitt Woods Research Assistant Sleep and Mood Disorders Lab Oregon Health
and Science University
(503) 418-2247