Can’t get to sleep? Come to a lecture.

Sleep disorders are the topic of a free public lecture at James Cook University in Cairns this Wednesday (3 September).

Sleep specialist Dr Stuart Armstrong will discuss what’s keeping us awake.

Dr Armstrong was Reader and Associate Professor in Psychology at La Trobe University, and also worked in research institutes in Germany and the USA.

His research has focused on the neuroscience of the sleep-wake cycle, with particular emphasis on the role of the melatonin and bright light on the timing of the biological clock, and their use in treating sleep and mood disorders.

He published over 100 research articles, including in the prestigious journal Science, and was co-author of the first international patent for using melatonin for alleviating jet lag and other circadian rhythm disorders.

He has been actively involved in treating sleep disorders, establishing a number of sleep clinics in Melbourne.

In Wednesday’s lecture he will focus particularly on the various forms of insomnia, including: psychophysiological insomnia (learned/stress induced); idiopathic insomnia (childhood onset); and circadian insomnias (advanced and delayed sleep phase syndromes, jet lag, sleep in the blind, non-24hour sleep-wake disorder, irregular sleep-wake pattern, some shift work schedules).

The lecture is presented by the JCU Cairns Student Psychology Association.

Dr Armstrong’s lecture will be held in Crowther Theatre at JCU in Smithfield by 6.00pm on Wednesday 3 September. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Issued: June 11, 2014

Media enquiries: Linden Woodward, 07 4232 107, linden.woodward@jcu.edu.au