Michael M. Halassa, M.D., Ph.D., of New York University wants to find targeted ways to treat sleep problems in people with neurodevelopmental disorders. Inadequate sleep is detrimental to mental functioning; but medications that artificially put the brain to sleep cannot enhance mental function when sleep problems are caused by brain circuit abnormalities, as they are in schizophrenia, autism, and ADHD. To better understand and treat such disorders, Dr. Halassa will investigate brain circuits that control the flow of sensory input during both sleep and waking attention.