In this episode of Talking Sleep, host Dr. Seema Khosla welcomes Dr. Safwan Badr, the newly appointed editor of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and sleep medicine physician at Wayne State University, for an in-depth review of the most impactful articles published in JCSM during 2025.

Dr. Badr discusses his vision for the journal and the editorial selection process, then guides listeners through key research findings shaping clinical practice. The conversation highlights both highly popular papers and important studies that deserve more attention from practicing clinicians.

A significant focus is placed on research confirming that traditional 4% hypopnea criteria and CMS definitions systematically underestimate sleep apnea in women, with expanded diagnostic criteria helping mitigate these gender disparities. The episode explores groundbreaking research on sleep architecture and Alzheimer's disease, examining how lower slow wave sleep and REM sleep correlate with brain atrophy in AD-vulnerable regions, particularly the inferior parietal lobe.

Consumer sleep technology receives critical examination through a meta-analysis comparing wrist-worn devices to polysomnography, revealing significant limitations in accuracy. Dr. Badr discusses implications for physicians and consumers who increasingly rely on these devices. Mental health intersects with sleep medicine through research showing that nightmares and insomnia in the acute aftermath of trauma predict suicidal ideation—nearly half of acute trauma patients with both conditions experience suicidal ideation within two months, highlighting urgent need for early interventions.

Additional topics include Canadian research on CBT-I effectiveness during pregnancy and findings from the TODAY study examining obstructive sleep apnea's relationship with glycemic control and cardiovascular risk in young adults with youth-onset type 2 diabetes.

Whether you're looking to stay current with evidence-based practice changes, interested in emerging research on sleep and neurodegeneration, or seeking to understand gender disparities in sleep medicine, this year-in-review provides essential updates.

In this special live episode recorded at Sleep Medicine Disruptors in Austin, Texas, host Dr. Seema Khosla sits down with two standout innovators whose technologies captured the spirit of disruptive innovation in sleep medicine. Dr. Jason McKeown from Neurovalens and Dr. Onur Kilic from Bairitone Health present groundbreaking approaches to treating insomnia and personalizing obstructive sleep apnea therapy.

Dr. McKeown, a neurologist, introduces his FDA-cleared non-pharmacological treatment for insomnia using vestibular nerve stimulation. He explains how the technology works, why stimulating nerves in this manner is safe, and how it differs from vagus nerve devices. The conversation explores the relationship with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), addresses the placebo effect question, and clarifies whether this is a long-term solution or temporary intervention. Dr. McKeown discusses contraindications including pregnancy and Inspire therapy, potential side effects, and ideal patient populations.

Dr. Kilic presents his sensor technology that enables non-invasive assessment of airway collapse location and severity—what he calls an "anatomic PSG." This innovation addresses a critical challenge: predicting which patients will respond to specific treatments like oral appliances, Inspire, or PAP therapy based on individual anatomical collapse patterns. Using a cheek-mounted sensor, the device identifies obstruction levels, differentiates between primary and secondary collapse sites, and detects collapse at the velopharyngeal level.

The discussion explores whether this represents a scalable alternative to drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), how it integrates with OSA endotyping, and practical applications during titration studies to identify optimal pressure ranges and guide combination therapies. Both innovators emphasize moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches toward personalized, anatomy-based treatment selection.

Whether you're interested in non-pharmacological insomnia treatments, precision medicine approaches to OSA, or the future of sleep diagnostics, this episode showcases innovative thinking driving the next generation of sleep medicine.

Join us for this exciting live conversation from Sleep Medicine Disruptors.

In this episode of Talking Sleep, host Dr. Seema Khosla welcomes Dr. Dave Singh, a former Adjunct Professor in Sleep Medicine at Stanford University, with a PhD in craniofacial cleft palate development, and a third PhD in orthodontics, to explore the evolving field of craniofacial sleep medicine. As founder of REMA Sleep based in North Carolina, Dr. Singh introduces the concept of craniofacial sleep medicine—an etiology-based approach to treating obstructive sleep apnea guided by anthropomorphic features rather than solely AHI severity metrics.

Craniofacial sleep medicine represents a paradigm shift from license-based treatment allocation to collaborative, anatomy-driven care where dentists, surgeons, and sleep physicians work together to determine the most appropriate interventions based on individual structural characteristics. Dr. Singh explains why understanding craniofacial structures is crucial for personalizing OSA treatment, including why Asian populations show high OSA prevalence despite lower obesity rates.

The conversation provides a comprehensive crash course in assessing craniofacial anatomy: What is retrognathia and what causes it? How can clinicians alter jaw position by adjusting cranial base morphology? Dr. Singh explains the classification system for dental occlusion (Class I, II, and III bites), midface assessment techniques, and the palate evaluation method Dr. Guilleminault taught fellows. He discusses critical anatomical considerations including tongue positioning at rest and during sleep, lateral pharyngeal wall collapse, and cervical vertebrae influence on airway patency.

The episode explores both preventive approaches in children and interventions for adults, addressing whether craniofacial modifications require surgery or can be achieved through other means. Dr. Singh discusses palatal expansion, tongue traction techniques, and the physiological components that remain addressable even after skeletal maturity. He also explains age-related changes including loss of muscle tone, bone volume reduction, and maxillary drift that progressively narrow the airway.

Intriguing topics include the mechanisms behind why didgeridoo playing and conch shell blowing improve sleep apnea, the role of oromyofunctional therapy as a viable treatment option, evolutionary changes in human dentition that impact airway anatomy, and even the dental stem cell implications for regenerative approaches. Dr. Singh also clarifies surprising facts, such as why mouthguards in contact sports serve purposes beyond tooth protection.

Whether you're seeking to understand anatomical contributors to OSA beyond obesity, interested in multidisciplinary treatment approaches, or curious about how craniofacial structure influences treatment selection, this episode provides essential insights into personalized, anatomy-based sleep apnea management.

Join us for this fascinating exploration of how form determines function in the upper airway and how understanding craniofacial anatomy can revolutionize OSA treatment strategies.