Why Sleep Apnea, Circadian Rhythms, and Cognitive Health Are More Connected Than You Think

Sleep isn't just rest - it's survival. In this episode of Research Renaissance, host Deborah Westfall sits down with Dr. Paul Chung, a sleep and pulmonary medicine physician and researcher at Northwestern University, to unpack why sleep deprivation, sleep apnea, and disrupted circadian rhythms are silently driving some of the most serious health crises of our time - including Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Chung shares his fascinating research into how sleep EEG microstructure and 24-hour rest/activity rhythms in adults with Down syndrome may serve as early biomarkers for cognitive decline - and what that means for the rest of us. He also breaks down the real biology of circadian rhythms, why night owls aren't lazy, and why when you take your medications might matter just as much as what you take. Whether you've been brushing off snoring, skimping on sleep, or curious about the future of personalized medicine - this episode will make you rethink the third pillar of health. In this episode: What sleep apnea really does to your body overnight Why 1 in 3 adults still isn't sleeping enough The link between disrupted rhythms and Alzheimer's disease Down syndrome as a window into cognitive aging Chronotherapy: timing treatments to your body clock The future of personalized sleep medicine Research Renaissance is presented by the Karen Toffler Charitable Trust. We tell the stories, struggles, and breakthroughs shaping the future of human health. Connect with Dr. Paul Chung: paul.chung@northwestern.edu Learn more about the Toffler Trust: https://tofflertrust.org If this episode gave you something to think about, please like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Every share helps us reach more people and support the researchers doing this vital work.