Biography
Dr Abidemi Otaiku is a medical doctor and neuroscientist at Imperial College London (Department of Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute Care Research & Technology). His research examines the neurobiological basis of sleep and dreaming. In particular, his work explores how sleep and dreaming change with healthy ageing and neurodegenerative diseases, and how this knowledge can be used to optimise brain health and promote longevity.
He is also an NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, and a former committee member of the Royal Society of Medicine Sleep Medicine Section and International Neuroethics Society.
Media and Public Engagement
Dr Otaiku's work has been published in leading scientific journals and covered by prestigious international news outlets (including The Guardian, Sky News, The Economist, The Times, Telegraph, BBC Brasil, CNN Portugal, New York Post, Newsweek, CBC, The Times of India and China Daily). He has been interviewed on live TV, radio and in print media (both nationally and internationally) to discuss the relationship between our dreams and neurodegenerative diseases. His science communication articles on sleep and dreams, which he wrote for The Conversation, have been read by more than 2 million people, translated into multiple languages, and he was Highly Commended for the 2022 Sir Paul Curran Award for his scientific discoveries and writing on nightmares, Parkinson's disease and dementia.
Selected Publications
Otaiku AI (2023). Distressing dreams in childhood and risk of cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease in adulthood. eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet)
Otaiku AI (2022). Distressing dreams, cognitive decline, and risk of dementia: A prospective study of three population-based cohorts. eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet)
Otaiku AI (2022). Distressing dreams and risk of Parkinson's disease: a population-based cohort study. eClinicalMedicine (The Lancet)
Otaiku AI (2021). Dream content predicts motor and cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice
Otaiku AI (2018). Did René Descartes have exploding head syndrome? Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine