SUMMARY
Timothy I. Morgenthaler, M.D., studies complex sleep-disordered breathing, such as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, central alveolar hypoventilation and various kinds of central sleep apnea. In collaboration with other researchers in Mayo Clinic's Center for Sleep Medicine, Dr. Morgenthaler pursues research interests in the relationship between sleep-disordered breathing and its effect on other important clinical outcomes, such as cardiovascular or endocrine complications. This research is conducted through epidemiologic and interventional studies. In addition, Dr. Morgenthaler and his colleagues within Mayo Clinic's Center for Sleep Medicine participate in ongoing research regarding health care utilization and comparative effectiveness related to treatments and interventions in sleep disorders.
Dr. Morgenthaler also serves as vice chair of Mayo Clinic's Quality and Affordability Management Committee. Together with colleagues from the Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Dr. Morgenthaler uses analytics and consulting to improve the quality, safety and value of health care and create better patient experiences.
Focus areas
- Effect of adaptive servo-ventilation — a noninvasive ventilatory treatment option — for the treatment of central sleep apnea on health care utilization
- Personalization of therapy for patients with sleep disorders
- Virtual care in sleep medicine
Significance to patient care
Dr. Morgenthaler and his colleagues contributed significantly to the description of a new clinical syndrome called complex sleep apnea syndrome and later named treatment-emergent central sleep apnea. Their research helped bring a new form of treatment — adaptive servo-ventilation — into common use as part of the treatment for this new kind of sleep-disordered breathing.
Further, Dr. Morgenthaler has been a leader in the development of numerous clinical guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Dr. Morgenthaler's continued research efforts seek to continue to improve clinical care and outcomes of people with sleep-disordered breathing.