Tuesday, 9 June 2026: FutureNeuro , the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science, has launched a new research collaboration with Ozlo , the company behind Ozlo Sleepbuds, wearable in-ear sleep technology designed to support more stable, uninterrupted sleep. The partnership will investigate whether this approach can help address sleep disruption in people living with epilepsy.
Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, including around 45,000 people in Ireland. While anti-seizure medications are effective for many, up to 30–40% of people continue to experience seizures. Alongside seizure control challenges, sleep disturbance and fatigue are common and can significantly impact quality of life.
Seizures often follow circadian rhythms – the body’s 24-hour internal clock, which also governs the sleep–wake cycle – and frequently occur during sleep. This creates a two-way relationship: disrupted sleep can increase seizure susceptibility, while seizures, medication effects, and nocturnal symptoms further destabilise sleep. Despite increasing evidence of this link, sleep and circadian assessments are not routinely integrated in epilepsy care, highlighting a significant unmet clinical need for improved understanding and the development of accessible, non-pharmacological interventions.
The collaboration will focus on the EPI-SLEEP study (Effect of Personalised In-ear Sleep Technology on Sleep Disturbances in Epilepsy), led by Dr Cristina Reschke in collaboration with Dr Rob Argent, based in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, and investigators within FutureNeuro.
Working with Epilepsy Ireland, the study will recruit 60 adults with focal epilepsy and sleep disturbances, including individuals with both drug-responsive and drug-resistant forms of the condition. Participants will undergo home-based multi-modal monitoring to assess sleep and circadian patterns, followed by four weeks of at-home use with Ozlo Sleepbuds®, a sleep technology wearable designed specifically for all-night comfort and overnight use. The Sleepbuds combine engineered audio and adaptive noise masking to help reduce environmental disruptions and support more consistent sleep.
Using a combination of biological tests, including saliva samples to track hormonal changes and a watch-like device monitoring sleep-awake cycles, alongside validated participant diaries and questionnaires, the study will assess changes in sleep quality, circadian rhythm stability, mood, and overall quality of life. It will also examine whether any improvements are sustained beyond the observation period.
Dr Cristina Reschke, the study’s co-lead at FutureNeuro and RCSI, said : “Many people living with epilepsy struggle not only with seizures, but with poor sleep and fatigue that affect every aspect of daily life. We know that sleep and seizure activity are closely linked, yet sleep is rarely addressed in a structured way in clinical care. Through this study, we want to better understand that relationship and explore practical, accessible ways to improve sleep, and ultimately quality of life, beyond medication alone.”
By combining FutureNeuro’s expertise in sleep and circadian neuroscience with Ozlo’s wearable technology, the study aims to generate robust evidence for a low-risk, non-pharmacological approach to improving sleep in epilepsy, without adding to medication burden.
“We’re excited to partner with FutureNeuro on research exploring how improving sleep may support people living with epilepsy,” said N.B. Patil, Founder of Ozlo. “Ozlo was founded with a mission to help people achieve deep, restorative rest, and this collaboration reflects our commitment to advancing the science of sleep and its impact on overall well-being.”
This collaboration forms part of FutureNeuro’s broader digital health strategy, which focuses on translating neuroscience research into practical, evidence-based solutions for people living with neurological conditions. The EPI-SLEEP study has the potential to inform new approaches not only in epilepsy, but in other neurological conditions where circadian disruption plays a role in disease.
ENDS
For further information:
Fiona McLoone, Communications Lead, FutureNeuro, RCSI, Fionamcloone@rcsi.ie
Alexis McDowel, Ozlo, media@ozlosleep.com
About FutureNeuro
FutureNeuro, the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science, is Ireland’s leading interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and care of people living with neurological, psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions, including epilepsy, Motor Neuron Disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and psychosis. Established in 2017 with €8M in core funding, the Centre has grown into a €44M programme supported by strong industry partnerships and competitive international funding. In 2023, FutureNeuro entered Phase 2 with €18M in renewed investment and an ambitious growth plan. With brain conditions affecting one in three people and over 800,000 individuals in Ireland, FutureNeuro addresses a major societal and economic challenge. Its research focuses on advancing diagnostics, personalised genomics-based therapies, next-generation treatments, and digital health. Bringing together patients, clinicians, industry partners with multi-disciplinary researchers from across eight universities, FutureNeuro delivers a collaborative, patient-centred programme spanning discovery to clinical impact. More information can be found at: https://futureneurocentre.ie/
About Ozlo
Ozlo is a sleep technology company dedicated to helping people achieve deep, restorative rest through science-backed innovation and thoughtful design. Founded by former Bose engineers in 2022, Ozlo creates products that help quiet the noice in our sleep environment and in our mind. The company’s flagship product, Ozlo Sleepbuds® combines engineered audio, adaptive sound masking, and all-night comfort to help users fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up restored. Built for real-world relief and grounded in neuroscience, Ozlo’s technology redefines what it means to rest. To learn more, visit www.ozlosleep.com .
About RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is ranked first in the world for its contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2025.
Founded in 1784 as the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland with responsibility for training surgeons in Ireland, today RCSI is an innovative, not-for-profit, international university exclusively focused on driving improvements in human health worldwide through education, research and engagement.
RCSI is among the top 300 universities worldwide in the World University Rankings (2026) and has been awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation for positive gender practice in higher education.
In 2026, RCSI opened Humanarium, a new public exhibition space and café at the heart of RCSI, exploring healthy futures for all, at 118 St Stephen’s Green in Dublin city centre. Through a rolling programme of free exhibitions and events exploring health sciences and medical research, it is a place for everyone to join conversations about how to live longer, healthier and happier lives.
Visit the RCSI Expert Directory to find the details of our experts across a range of healthcare issues and concerns. Recognising their responsibility to share their knowledge and discoveries to empower people with information that leads them to better health, these clinicians and researchers are willing to engage with the media in their area of expertise.
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