Dr. Opp directs a research program funded by the National Institutes of Health to answer questions related to sleep-immune interactions. Epidemiologic studies consistently reveal strong associations between chronic insufficient sleep and inflammatory disease. Inflammatory diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and stroke, incur tremendous cost in terms of lives lost and burden to healthcare systems. Yet, mechanisms by which chronic insufficient sleep induces, or contributes to, inflammation are not well known. Dr. Opp’s research program aims to elucidate mechanism underlying links between sleep disruption and inflammation. Within this context, specific projects focus on sleep and the inflammatory conditions of traumatic brain injury, musculoskeletal pain, aging and insulin resistance.
