The AASM congratulates the recipients of the 2011 ASMF grants, who will be recognized Monday, June 13, 2011, in Minneapolis, Minn., during the AASM General Membership Meeting at SLEEP 2011. Each year the ASMF provides research scientists with funding opportunities for sleep-related investigations, while also supporting the education and training of sleep scientists and sleep medicine specialists.

This new module, entitled “APNEA,” features a video highlighting Mr. Shaquille O'Neal, a newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea patient. The module contains extensive information on the symptoms, personal and societal impact, diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea delivered through a mixture of text, graphics, video and user-interactive media.

The ASMF High School Topical Review in Sleep Science Contest recognizes excellence in the understanding of scientific research and in the preparation of a topical review paper related to sleep. The AASM congratulates first-place prize winner Julia Deutsch and the rest of the winners of the 2011 contest.

There are only 20 days left to register for the SLEEP 2011 meeting at a discounted price; register by June 1, 2011, to save on the on-site registration fees. This year’s meeting has a number of sessions highlighting the latest advances in sleep medicine and sleep research.

In addition to more than 1,000 scientific abstracts and 100 courses and sessions, SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS), will feature several events sponsored by leading manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and innovators in the industry.

This fall, the AASM will host several educational courses at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). Registration is now open for several of these courses and space is limited; with many courses expected to sell out as physicians prepare to take the November sleep medicine certification exam, be sure to register early to reserve your space and save on registration fees.

Each year the AASM recognizes the outstanding efforts of a young investigator in the field of sleep research with the Young Investigator Award. These award recipients will be recognized Monday, June 13, 2011, in Minneapolis, Minn., during the AASM General Membership Meeting at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC.

Members of the AASM now have the opportunity to take advantage of $20 off all packs of personalized brochures - a savings of greater than 30 percent. In addition AASM members can add a free sampler pack of patient brochures in their next online purchase. To receive the free sampler pack, use the coupon code included in this full article.

A study published Wednesday in Nature examined freely behaving rats after a long period in an awake state. The researchers found that, although both the EEG and behavior indicate wakefulness, local populations of neurons in the cortex may be falling asleep, with negative consequences for performance.

The APSS will host a networking reception on the evening of Sunday, June 12, 2011 from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The Silver Jubilee Reception will provide participants with the opportunity to network with other attendees as well as provide needed support to future sleep research.

The AASM recognizes the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at the Children's Hospital Boston as the fifth AASM Comprehensive Academic Sleep Program of Distinction. The program recognizes academic sleep programs that have demonstrated excellence through compliance with rigorous standards in the areas of clinical service, educational mission and research accomplishments.