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In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking 2025 Neuron paper that reframes how sleep is generated in the brain, and why we sleep at all.

Instead of a single “sleep centre,” sleep emerges from a distributed network embedded within motor and autonomic circuits. The authors also propose a unifying “catecholamine hypothesis” explaining sleep’s restorative functions across brain, immune, and metabolic systems.

We break down what this means for clinicians, how it updates classic models of sleep–wake regulation, and why dysfunction in these systems manifests across psychiatry.

To access all episodes of this podcast plus 150+ hours of advanced psychiatric education, join the Academy today. Get access here:

https://www.academy.psychscene.com/

To access all episodes plus 150+ hours of advanced psychiatric education join the Academy today. Get access here: https://www.academy.psychscene.com/

Why is Alzheimer’s disease more common in women?

In this episode, we break down what current research reveals about sex differences in Alzheimer’s biology — including hormonal changes, tau progression, genetics, and how women often compensate on early cognitive testing, delaying diagnosis.

We also discuss how these differences shape clinical assessment, treatment responses to emerging anti-amyloid therapies, and why midlife risk modification is especially important.

Key Points

• Women show faster tau accumulation once amyloid appears.
• Cognitive compensation can lead to later diagnosis in women.
• Estrogen decline at menopause influences inflammation, synaptic resilience, and neuroprotection.
• APOE-ε4 confers greater Alzheimer’s risk in women.
• Sex-specific risk factors require tailored prevention and assessment.

To access all episodes plus 150+ hours of advanced psychiatric education join the Academy today. Get access here: https://www.academy.psychscene.com/