The Down Syndrome and Sleep Research Network (DSSRN) held a conference of researchers and health professionals on Monday 1st June 2026. Thanks to sponsors, the event was free to attend, and was generously hosted by the University of Surrey. We were delighted to welcome new faces alongside past attendees to our second annual conference.
It was a pleasure to welcome the following keynote speakers:
Dr Shahid Zaman University of Cambridge: The Alzheimer Biomarkers Consortium-Down Syndrome (ABC-DS) study updates
Dr Kiran K G Ravindran | University of Surrey Sleep Devices in Dementia
Professor Derk-Jan Dijk, Professor of Sleep and Physiology, Director of Surrey Sleep Research Centre: Introduction to the Centre
Dr Ullrich Bartsch University of Surrey: Technology in Sleep Research
Zeke Steer, Milbotix: SmartSocks – Tech Demonstration
Bhaskar Dudem, Z-Pulse: Z-Pulse sleep mat – Tech Demonstration
Topics for the conference ranged widely. Sleep is one of various known habits with the power to reduce the risk of developing memory problems, and Dr Shahid Zaman pointed to the fact that such modifiable lifestyle choices are often ignored in favour of medicalised approaches. This has particular implications for the onset of dementia. Dr Zaman described possibilities of improving sleep and therefore outcomes for the DS population, especially with age: “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and fragmentation are modifiable, making sleep a realistic intervention target to delay or soften AD trajectories in DS.”
Director of the Surrey Sleep Research Centre, Professor Derk-Jan Dijk, gave us an overview of his facility’s interest in sleep, and emphasised how complex sleep really is, and how little we understand it. His facility studies aspects such as the intricate connections between sleep quality and daytime behaviour, as well as gene expression, ageing and cognition. Professor Dijk shared: “We’re starting to discover that even small changes in sleep have an impact on daytime function, which I think is actually relevant for many conditions … [sometimes parents say about a child] “He / she is tired. Take a nap.” What happens after the nap? Behavior is normalized. Isn’t it amazing? But we don’t really know what happens during that nap that can change that behaviour so dramatically … there are still a few secrets to be discovered.”
Along with updates from current research projects, we also discussed novel methods of gathering research data and monitoring health, taking a close look at exciting new devices which can help measure sleep and bio feedback, and extend the possibilities for researchers to access meaningful data.
University of Surrey’s Dr Ullrich Bartsch showed various ways that “Sleep technology holds promise to be used as a screening and diagnostic tool in clinical pathways.” There are multiple advantages to appropriate wearables, with different models able to capture different aspects of sleep, and allowing some aspects of sleep studies to take place at home. These technologies can be particularly appealing in the Down syndrome community when they help minimise participant burden.
Conference attendees also had a tour of Surrey Sleep Research Centre’s cutting edge facilities – which one conference participant described as “the most amazing lab I’ve ever seen!”.
In panel discussions, participants initiated explorations of holistic approaches to sleep and attention to other daily lifestyle choices: an area which we are likely to explore further.
Lastly, the DSSRN conference launched a pack of new communication resources by Dr Eve Hirst, a pack designed to help people with Down syndrome understand how to participate in a Sleep Study. This is part of our ongoing aim to improve communication between the Down syndrome community and the research professionals who engage with them. If you would like to receive this pack, please check out this page here: https://dssrn.org.uk/communication-pack
We will keep you informed about further developments for the DSSRN as they unfold!