Dr. Pack is pursuing research on genetics/genomics of sleep and its disorders. His laboratory is conducting studies in Drosophila and mice and translating these findings to humans. A particular focus of Dr. Pack’s work is to evaluate the genetic determinants of sleep homeostasis. Studies are ongoing to evaluate molecular mechanisms of sleepiness and sleep promotion using both hypothesis-driven and discovery science. The latter involves analysis of the changes in the transcription with sleep/wake and sleep deprivation in identified neuronal populations. Techniques being used include behavioral/sleep studies in Drosophila and mice, RT-PCR, Western analysis of protein, expression profiling, laser microcapture dissection, RNA seq and immunohistochemistry. Dr. Pack is committed to research training and directs two training grants from the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Pack's clinical expertise is in sleep disorders with a particular focus on diagnosis and management of obstructive sleep apnea. He is internationally recognized for his expertise in this area and has been listed in the Best Doctor's in the United States and in the Philadelphia region (Philadelphia Magazine).
Selected Publications
Arnardottir, E.S., Janson, C., Bjornsdottir, E.M., Benediktsdottir, B., Juliusson, S., Kuna, S.T., Pack, A.I. and Gislason, T.: Nocturnal sweating—a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea: the Icelandic Sleep Apnoea Cohort. BMJ Open 3(5), May 2013 Notes: doi:pii: e002795.
Anafi, R.C., Pellegrino, R., Shockley, K.R., Romer, M., Tufik, S. and Pack, A.I.: Sleep is not just for the brain: transcriptional responses to sleep in peripheral tissues. BMC Genomics 14(1): 362, May 2013.
Izci Balserak, B., Jackson, N., Ratcliffe, S.A., Pack, A.I., and Pien, G.W.: Sleep-disordered breathing and daytime napping are associated with maternal hyperglycemia. Sleep and Breathing Jan 2013.
Pak, V.M., Grandner, M.A. and Pack, A.I.: Circulating adhesion molecules in obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. Sleep Medicine Reviews 2013 Notes: Apr 22. doi:pii: S1087-0792(13)00006-3. 10.1016/j.smrv.2013.01.002. [Epub ahead of print]
Magalang, U.J., Chen, N., Cistulli, P.A., Fedson, A.C., Gislason, T., Hillman, D., Penzel, T., Tamisier, R., Tufik, S., Phillips, G., Pack, A.I.; SAGIC investigators: Agreement in the scoring of respiratory events and sleep among international sleep centers. Sleep 36(4): 591-596, 2013.
Kuna, S.T., Benca, R., Kushida, C.A., Walsh, J., Younes, M., Staley, B., Hanlon, A., Pack, A.I., Pien, G.W. and Malhotra, A.: Agreement in computer-assisted manual scoring of polysomnograms across sleep centers. Sleep 36(4): 583-589, 2013.
Malhotra, A., Younes, M., Kuna, S.T., Benca, R., Kushida, C.A., Walsh, J., Hanlon, A., Staley, B., Pack, A.I. and Pien, G.W.: Performance of an automated polysomnography scoring system versus computer-assisted manual scoring. Sleep 36(4): 573-582, 2013.
Fedson, A.C., Pack, A.I., and Gislason, T.: Frequently used sleep questionnaires in epidemiological and genetic research for obstructive sleep apnea: A review. Sleep Medicine Reviews 16(6): 529-537, Dec 2012.
Maislin, G., Ahmed, M.M., Gooneratne, N., Thorne-Fitzgerald, M., Kim, C., Teff, K., Arnardottir, E.S., Benediktsdottir, B., Einarsdottir, H., Juliusson, S., Pack, A.I., Gislason, T., and Schwab, R.: Single slice vs. volumetric MR assessment of visceral adipose tissue: reliability and validity among the overweight and obese. Obesity 10(10): 2124-2132, Oct 2012.
Arnardottir, E.S., Maislin, G., Jackson, N., Schwab, R.J., Benediktsdottir, B., Teff, K., Juliusson, S., Pack, A.I. and Gislason, T.: The role of obesity, different fat compartments and sleep apnea severity in circulating leptin levels: the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort study. International Journal of Obesity 37(6): 835-842, Sep 2012.
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Last updated: 07/16/2013
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