Tom Bresser

My current postdoctoral research aims to better understand transdiagnostic hyperarousal and the associated brain mechanisms using survey- and neuroimaging data. Hyperarousal is characterized by cognitive, emotional, and/or somatic experiences of tension and distress. While hyperarousal is at the core of insomnia disorder, it is also a key symptom in other mental disorders. Therefor a better understanding of trnsdiagnostic hyperarousal can propel our understanding of the underlying mechanisms, and lead to better assessment and treatment.

During my PhD I studied how brain structure and connectivity are related to insomnia disorder. By applying neuroimaging techniques we are able to measure brain properties such as cortical thickness, surface area, white matter microstructure and connectivity between brain regions. By comparing these properties between good sleepers and patients suffering from insomnia, we aim to better understand the brain mechanisms involved.

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