Sleep for the Whole Organism

The 2026 Sleep Regulation and Function: “Sleep for the Whole Organism” will be the sixth Sleep GRC. Sleep is a dynamic state that involves many complex processes to ensure sufficient quality is achieved for health maintenance. It has critical roles in not only brain processes but also body functions. It is evident that our brain has intimate interactions with the rest of the body through nerves, blood, lymph and other pathways including via gut and blood-brain barrier mechanisms to ensure functions are fulfilled. Growing evidence suggests the gut microbiome significantly influences sleep-wake cycles through the gut-brain axis, offering promising avenues for therapeutic interventions. Emerging research highlights the crucial role of interoception—the perception of internal bodily sensations—in sleep regulation and how disruptions in these pathways may contribute to sleep disorders. The conference will also explore autonomic control during different sleep stages and its relationship to overall health outcomes. Furthermore, recent advances in artificial intelligence and big data integration approaches are ripe to revolutionize biomarker discovery for sleep quality and efficiency.

This conference includes sessions to present and discuss the current and most updated status of various brain, body, and brain-body interactions that are fundamental to sleep quality, with additional emphasis on technological innovations, fundamental mechanisms, and interdisciplinary approaches to advance sleep science.