Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program
SRI programs
Associate scientist
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
2075 Bayview Ave., Room A4 55
Toronto, ON
M4N 3M5
Education:
- Sc., 2002, University of Toronto, Canada
- MD, 2006, U of T
- FRCPC, 2011, adult neurology residency, U of T
- CSCN(EEG), 2012, Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, electroencephalography, Canada
- Sc., 2013, stroke and sleep neurology, U of T
- Clinical research fellowship, 2013, stroke and sleep neurology, U of T
Appointments and Affiliations:
- Associate scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
- Staff neurologist, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Clinician-investigator, department of medicine, U of T
- Associate professor, department of medicine, U of T
Research Foci:
- Association of sleep disorders with transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, dementia/cognitive impairment, and other neurological disorders
- Neurophysiological aspects of sleep (e.g., electroencephalography, eye and limb movement detection)
- Home and in-hospital sleep monitoring
- Establishing normative values for sleep studies.
- Developing novel approaches to manage sleep disorders
Research Summary:
The majority of patients who have sustained a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke complain of sleep-related troubles, or are found to have evidence of a sleep disorder if evaluated using objective measures. Dr. Boulos’ research seeks to explore the prevalence and characteristics of sleep disorders after TIA and stroke.
Dr. Boulos is also investigating the use of portable sleep monitors following a TIA or stroke. He is developing innovative techniques that assess the largest number of patients possible using simple, convenient tools that reliably measure sleep problems such as fragmented sleep, periodic limb movements and obstructive sleep apnea.
Furthermore, Dr. Boulos is studying the association of sleep disorders with brain imaging findings, daytime fatigue and vigilance, cognition, quality of life and incident vascular events.
Dr. Boulos’ research has been supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery, the Innovation Fund of the Academic Health Sciences Centres of Ontario, the Branch Out Neurological Foundation, Ontario Genomics, and several industry partners. In 2020, Dr. Boulos was awarded by the American Academy of Neurology the Wayne Hening Sleep Medicine Investigator Award in recognition of outstanding achievements in Sleep Science research.
Selected Publications:
See current publications list at PubMed.
- Boulos MI. The case for improving the detection and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea following stroke. CMAJ. 2023 Mar 14;195(10):E374-E375.
- Boulos MI, Kamra M, Colelli DR, Kirolos N, Gladstone DJ, Boyle K, Sundaram A, Hopyan JJ, Swartz RH, Mamdani M, Loong D, Isaranuwatchai W, Murray BJ, Thorpe KE. SLEAP SMART (Sleep Apnea Screening Using Mobile Ambulatory Recorders After TIA/Stroke): A Randomized Controlled Trial. Stroke. 2022 Mar 1;53(3):710-718.
- Boulos MI, Dharmakulaseelan L, Brown DL, Swartz RH. Trials in Sleep Apnea and Stroke: Learning From the Past to Direct Future Approaches. Stroke. 2021 Jan 1;52(1):366-372.
- Boulos MI, Jairam T, Kendzerska T, Im J, Mekhael A, Murray BJ. Normal polysomnography parameters in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Respir Med. 2019 Jun 1;7(6):533-543.
- Boulos MI, Murray BJ, Muir RT, Gao F, Szilagyi GM, Huroy M, Kiss A, Walters AS, Black SE, Lim AS, Swartz RH. Periodic Limb Movements and White Matter Hyperintensities in First-Ever Minor Stroke or High Risk TIA. Sleep. 2017 Mar 1;40(3).
Related News and Stories:
- Sleep Disorders and Cognition - Spotlight On: Dr. Mark Boulos (Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, March 21, 2023)
- Episode 1 – Is sleep the key to living a long life? (Manulife Beyond Age podcast series, November 1, 2022)
- Does cannabis work as a sleep aid? We asked experts about three popular remedies (Toronto Star, October 31, 2022)
- Can naps increase your risk of stroke and high blood pressure? What Canadian experts say. (Yahoo! Canada, August 9, 2022)
- What Medications Are Linked With Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep? (Sleep Review Magazine, April 28, 2022)
- How to Treat Restless Legs Syndrome (Good Times Magazine, August 1, 2021)
- Despite recall on CPAP machines, patients should not stop using them without consulting a physician first.(Globe and Mail, July 27, 2021)
- Middle-Aged People Who Sleep Six Hours a Night or Less Have a Higher Risk of Dementia, British Researchers Report (Zoomer, April 27, 2021)
- Exploring Links Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Impairment. (Dementia Connections Magazine ( September 1, 2021)
- Just How Much Does Sleep Posture Matter in Obstructive Sleep Apnea? (Sleep Review magazine, April 19, 2021)
- Sleep Apnea, Cognitive Impairment Common Bedfellows. (Medscape Medical News, March 3, 2021) (Trainee Presentation).
- Study: Treating common sleep disorder may improve memory. (American Academy of Neurology, March 1, 2021)
- Obstructive sleep apnea common in individuals with dementia. (Sunnybrook, March 1, 2021) (Trainee Presentation).
- STUDY: TREATABLE SLEEP DISORDER COMMON IN PEOPLE WITH THINKING AND MEMORY PROBLEMS. (American Academy of Neurology, February 28, 2021)
- Insomnia during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Brain & Life magazine, January 1, 2021)
- How to avoid sleeping in during school days (OWL Magazine, October 1, 2020)
- Home Sleep Tests May Fill a Gap in Care for Stroke Patients, Study Finds. (Sleep Review magazine, July 17, 2020)
- Sleep Neurologists Call It ‘COVID-Somnia’—Increased Sleep Disturbances Linked to the Pandemic. (Neurology Today magazine, July 9, 2020)
- Dr. Mark Boulos speaks to CityNews about sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic. (CityNews, July 25, 2020)
- How to sleep better during the COVID-19 pandemic. (CityNews, May 16, 2020)
- COVID-19: Sleep problems, dreams and nightmares. (Sunnybrook, May 1, 2020)
- Trial and Error: Finding the right devices to treat sleep apnea. (Healthy Debate, Feb 19, 2020)
- My husband won’t wear his CPAP machine. Are there alternatives to help him have a healthy sleep? (The Globe and Mail, Feb 12, 2020)
- Trial and Error: Finding the right devices to treat sleep apnea. (YourHealthMatters, Feb 10, 2020)
- How to Know if Visiting a Sleep Clinic is Right for You. (Cityline, Nov 13, 2019)
- “I’m constantly tired’ — what you should know about restless legs syndrome. (Global News, Nov 10, 2019)
- I never thought I’d have a stroke at 39 years old. (YourHealthMatters, Sept 30, 2019)
- The Snooze Button Podcast – Episode 4 – Dr. Mark Boulos (Zoomer Radio , Sept 23, 2019)
- How Sleeping Habits Affect our Personal and Professional Lives. (Fight Back with Libby Znaimer, Zoomer Radio, Aug 6, 2019)
- Stroke affects people young and old — know the signs. (YourHealthMatters, Mar 8, 2019)
- The Science of Sleep. (CBC Podcasts, Oct 2018)
- Eight-hour sheep movie Baa Baa Land is meant to put you to sleep: Torontonian producer doesn’t expect — or want — audiences to get through all of Baa Baa Land awake (Toronto Star, July 29, 2017)
- Why Canadian docs are warning kicking in your sleep may increase your risk of stroke(Global News, March 21, 2017)
- Sleep pills and you: Sleeping pills shouldn’t be used as long-term solutions to sleep problems, but they can help when all you need is a goodnight sleep (Toronto Star, June 20, 2016)
- 4 ways to make your bedroom sleep-friendly(Canadian Living, Nov. 1, 2015)
- Sleep deprived? 7 tips for staying awake when you're exhausted(Best Health Magazine Canada)
- How to get through one day with no sleep(Men's Journal, September 2015)
- When to take sleeping pills(Men's Journal, July 2015)
- All in a good night's rest(June 1, 2015)
- Not enough sleep? Your brain may be paying the price: study(CTV News, May 29, 2015)
- Poor sleep linked with enlarged spaces around brain’s blood vessels (May 29, 2015)
- Which comes first: sleep problems or stroke?(The Globe and Mail, April 17, 2014)
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