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About us Practical matters How to find us prof. dr. P. (Peter) Meerlo

Research interests

  • Biological clocks and circadian rhythms
  • The evolution and ecology of sleep
  • The regulation and function of sleep
  • The role of sleep in neuronal plasticity and memory processes
  • The neurobiological consequences of disrupted and restricted sleep
  • Effects of sleep loss on stress systems and stress sensitivity
  • Effects of stress on sleep and circadian rhythms
  • Individual differences and gender differences in stress and sleep
  • The relationship between sleep disturbance and depression
  • Psychiatric disorders: causes, mechanisms, and therapies

Publications

Chronically restricted or disrupted sleep as a causal factor in the development of depression

Restricted and disrupted sleep: Effects on autonomic function, neuroendocrine stress systems and stress responsivity

Poor sleep as a potential causal factor in aggression and violence

Sleep deprivation and hippocampal vulnerability: Changes in neuronal plasticity, neurogenesis and cognitive function

New neurons in the adult brain: The role of sleep and consequences of sleep loss

Oxalic acid and diacylglycerol 36:3 are cross-species markers of sleep debt

Human and rat gut microbiome composition is maintained following sleep restriction

Sleep research goes wild: New methods and approaches to investigate the ecology, evolution and functions of sleep

The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) shows signs of NREM sleep homeostasis but has very little REM sleep and no REM sleep homeostasis

Sleep time in the European starling is strongly affected by night length and moon phase

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Press/media

Wakker, maar niet opgewekt: Waarom slaapgebrek somber maakt

Bestaan er dieren die nooit slapen?

Starlings sleep less during summer and full-moon nights

Is slapen voor apen?

Zonder slaap: Wat gebeurt er met je als je twee nachten niet slaapt?

Slaapgebrek kan depressie veroorzaken

Winterblues

Wolven dromen van bossen

Slaapproblemen oplossen kan al direct positief zijn

Slaaptekort doet in hersenen hippocampus krimpen

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