The central purpose of this proposal is to study the short-term effects of sedation with
sympatholysis, using α2 adrenergic agent Dexmedetomidine, on sleep and inflammation in
critically ill patients with Acute Lung Injury and Acute Respiratory Disorder Syndrome
(ALI/ARDS). An additional objective is to determine the effect of Dexmedetomidine sedation on
the in-vitro production of sleep-modulating inflammatory cytokines by peripheral blood
mononuclear cells of critically ill patients with ALI/ARDS.