A LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE

There will be many changes in the sleep field in the next 5 to 10 year s. These will include increments in our knowledge of the basic neurobi ologic mechanisms driving sleep and the impact of sleep loss on genera l health. The technology used in the sleep laboratory will likely chan ge as well, leading to a larger range of available tests and new ways to conduct standard ones. Finally, as the knowledge base in sleep incr eases, the expertise required to practice sleep medicine will rise, le ading to a better-trained, more focused practitioner.