Dr. Bourey recently returned to Washington University after leaving the faculty in Applied Physiology and biochemistry of exercise 30 y ago. Since then, through years of private practice and full-time academic and administrative appointments at Medical College of Ohio, University of Toledo, and St. Louis University, his work has been guided by the aspiration to help men and women maximize their functional capacity – that is, their ability to physically, mentally and emotionally accomplish their goals.
After early contributions to understanding of exercise, muscle glucose metabolism and aging, Dr. Bourey turned to focus on neuroendocrine control of sleep, appetite, and metabolism. In 1995, Dr. Bourey identified a connection between poor sleep and high morning blood sugars in patients with diabetes. He subsequently undertook additional training and study in sleep medicine, which he believes represents a “back door” to the study of metabolic control by brain and central nervous system. In 2011, Dr. Bourey defined the disorder primary menopausal insomnia. Dr. Bourey’s current research focuses on deleterious effects of menopause on sleep and the metabolic relationships among sleep disruption, central adiposity, inflammation, and consequent disease.