Welcome!

The Sleep Research Unit is a part of the University Health Network (Toronto Western Hospital) located at the Med – West Medical Centre.  The principal activity of this research unit is conducting basic research and clinical trials on various sleep and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Colin M. Shapiro, who is a Professor at University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry and the Director of the Sleep Research Unit and the Neuropsychiatry Program, is the Principal Investigator for many of the trials, but the unit has extreme collaborations and is pleased to facilitate research by other investigators and departments.

In addition to research the key activity of the Sleep Research Unit is the management of the full spectrum of sleep disorders.  The clinic serves the GTA and provides tertiary care for patients from around the country.  The clinic has certified sleep specialists and physicians providing service to the patients with a wide variety of disorders including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, psychological and psychiatric sleep disorders; neurological and circadian rhythm disorders; and parasomnias. The staff of the clinic are involved in research and educational activities and are actively exploring new frontiers of sleep medicine.

The clinic also conducts DLMO (Dim Light Melatonin Onset) Tests for Phase Delay Syndrome and Circadian disorders. Additionally, we have a Driving Simulator to assess daytime performance.

The clinic also extends it resources to University of Toronto students working on their sleep - related Masters or Doctoral projects. The clinic hosts academic presentations twice each week in order to provide a platform where research being conducted at the forefront of sleep medicine is shared and discussed. At these presentations, speakers from all over the world and also from both international and local share their expertise.

Best wishes,
Professor Colin Shapiro, BSc, MBBCh, PhD, MRCPsych, FRCP (C)
Department of Psychiatry
University of Toronto