Cognition and Sleep and Sleep Disorders

Kimberly A. Mebust MD, FAASM, FACNS, FAAN
MultiCare Sleep Medicine
Puyallup, WA

Dr. Mebust received her medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in 1991, and went on to complete her Neurology Residency and a Fellowship in EEG, EP, Sleep Medicine and Epilepsy at Duke University Medical Center in 1996.  She has worked at MultiCare since 1996.  In 2003, she was appointed Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurology, University of Washington.  Among other honors, she has been on the list of America’s Top Doctor (Consumer Research Council, American Registry) (2004-2005, 2012, 2013, 2014); Seattle Magazine Top Doctor (2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2022); Castle-Connolly Top Doctor (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023); Castle-Connolly Exceptional Women in Medicine (2017, 2018); America’s Most Compassionate Physician (2011, 2012, 2014); Patient’s Choice Award (2009, 2011, 2012); and, US News and World Report (Castle-Connolly) National Top Doctor (2012).

Learning objectives for this talk include: 

1. Understand the physiology of memory and learning, and how sleep can affect this.
   
2. Learn how sleep disorders can affect memory.
   
3. Be able to discuss the effects  on cognition of medications to treat insomnia.
   
4. Increase awareness of how neurologic disorders associated with cognitive problems can result in sleep disorders.
   
5. Understand the impact of sleep disorders on children and learning.