About Us

Sleep & Behavioral Neuroscience Center

Our Mission

The Sleep and Behavioral Neuroscience Center (SBNC) provides state-of-the art scientific, administrative, and technical support in the conduct of behavioral neuroscience research throughout the 24-hour cycle across the life span. Our unique areas of expertise, innovation, and excellence are in the acquisition and processing of physiological and behavioral data. Our services are available for investigators across the University of Pittsburgh and partnering institutions.

Goals of the SBNC

Increase Scientific Knowledge

Assist investigators in the pursuit of research and academic activities designed to increase the scientific knowledge base on the causes, progression and outcomes of sleep, circadian, and health problems in order to accelerate the discovery of new and improved treatment and prevention strategies and thus to optimize care for individuals with sleep or circadian disorders, or mental or physical illnesses.

Create an engaging and productive work environment that enables people to maximize their potential, achieve their professional and research goals and play an important role in an organization that adds significant value to its many communities.

Train Health Professionals

Train the next generation of neuroscientists and sleep/circadian researchers in state-of-the-art research and clinical methods to facilitate the implementation and dissemination of innovative and established research methods that support advances in treatment approaches that will optimize quality of clinical care.

Create Effective Work Environment

Create a stimulating and highly collaborative academic work environment that enables faculty, staff and trainees at all levels to deepen their proficiency in research methods and ultimately make significant contributions to the field, continuing the tradition of excellence which established WPIC as one of the premier academic institutions in the world.

Historical Timeline

  • 1974 : Began sleep studies in Pittsburgh {Dr. David Kupfer}
  • 1976 : One of the first five sleep centers as part of the Association of Sleep Disorders Centers
  • 1984 : Child & Adolescent Sleep Center opened {Dr. Joaquim Puig-Antich}
  • 1985 : Home studies using telediagnostics to WPIC Sleep Center {Dr. David Kupfer}
  • 1988 : One of the nation’s first sleep time isolation laboratories – CROO Study {Dr. David Jarret}
  • 1992 : Developed and implemented digital sleep acquisition/scoring/spectral analysis systems {Dr. Chris Detka/Dr. Ray Vasko/David Cashmere/Jack Doman}
  • 1995 : Studied Sleep-Mood/Behavior in Space: NASA-MIR Program {Dr. Timothy Monk}
  • 1996 : Incorporated sleep data with neuroimaging and spectral EEG analysis {Dr. Daniel Buysse & Dr. Eric Nofzinger}
  • 1996 : Developed automated rejection routines for spectral analysis of EEG data {Dr. Daniel Brunner/Dr. Ray Vasko/Jack Doman}
  • 2000 : Major facility upgrades: included laboratory and ambulatory sleep systems; also renovated bedrooms, lounge & control room.  Facility was renamed Clinical Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC) {Dr. Daniel Buysse}
  • 2001 : First national cohort study conducted – Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWANZ) {Dr. Martica Hall}
  • 2009 : Renovated Child & Adolescent Sleep Center to include laboratory sleep systems {Dr. Peter Franzen}
  • 2010 : Consulted and processed primates sleep and exercise research {Dr. Neil Ryan & Dr. Judy Cameron}
  • 2011 : Spectral scoring/edit program (SpecEdit) employed {Robert Seres & David Cashmere}
  • 2015 : Began using High Definition EEG system-64 channel Net {Dr. Anne Germain}
  • 2016 : Facility now used for Sleep & Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) {Dr. Fabio Ferrarelli}
  • 2017 : Renovation and expansion of facility completed. Adult, Adolescent & Child Sleep Centers now called Sleep & Behavioral Neuroscience Center (SBNC) {Dr. Anne Germain}
    • See SBNC Facility Poster here