title: [Challenges in the progress of sleep research and sleep medicine].
abstract: Interest in sleep and dreams has existed since the dawn of history. Despite intensive steep research in recent years, the exact function of sleep is yet to be determined. Nevertheless, several breakthrough discoveries have led to substantial improvement in the quality of sleep medicine. This issue of "Harefuah" is dedicated to the current knowledge in steep research and sleep medicine, to novel discoveries in this field, and to some challenges for the future. One paper discusses the concept of tolerance to hypnotics, while another article provides a review, summarizing the development and cLinicaL potential usage of stow release meLatonin in the treatment of insomnia. The issue provides novel data regarding the effect of steep posture on the severity of apnea in children and adults, as well as data regarding obstructive sleep disorders in children younger than two years old. Encouraging data are presented regarding the potential treatment of obstructive sleep apnea utilizing eLectricaL stimulation of the genioglossus muscle to prevent its' collapse during sleep. SeveraL additional articLes in the issue shed further light on recent discoveries in the field of steep medicine.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Lab, Meyer Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center and Technion Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel. gpillar@tx.technion.ac.il
authors.forename: Giora
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pillar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D011187:Posture; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives