My primary research focus is on association between stress across life and changes in sleep and circadian rhythms, with a translational perspective (animal models and human studies). One of the main goals is investigating consequences of different early life conditions on health later in life (sleep, circadian rhythms, behavior, cognition, molecular markers), and which factors can moderate the effects of adverse early life events.

Another research focus is on consequences of nightshift-work for sleep, circadian rhythms and waking function. One of the main goals is to investigate how different lighting conditions can be used to alleviate sleepiness and improve cognitive function during nightshift-work and to identify molecular mechanisms.

 

Methods:

Animal models

• Objective measures of sleep and waking function
• Objective measures of circadian rhythmicity
• Electrophysiology
• Polysomnography
• Behavioural tests

Human studies

• Subjective and objective measures of sleep and waking function
• Subjective and objective measures of circadian rhythmicity
• Polysomnography
• Cognitive tests 

Podcast episode (in Norwegian)

• Søvn og ernæring - hvordan henger dette sammen?

 

Articles (in Norwegian)

• Kan vi spise oss til bedre søvn?, SØVN, 2018, 2:26-29
• Normal utvikling av hjernen, SØVN, 2013, 1:14-15
• Sommerskole i døgnrytmer og søvn, SØVN, 2017, 2:35-37
• Hva skjer med søvn hos ungdom og hvordan kan vi lære dem at søvn er viktig?, SØVN, 2016, 1:18-22

Course coordinator:

• Behavioral Neuroscience: Biological psychology MAPSYK337

Other courses:

• Biological psychology PROPSY303
• Development, cognitive and biological psychology PSYK114
• Circadian rhythms, sleep and behavior PSYK115
• Behaviour, health and nutrition PSYK140
• Circadian rhythms and sleep their role in mental and physical health, safety and productivity (NRSN summer school 2017)
• Course in interdisciplinary neuroscience - IGSIN913

 

Some topics that I teach:

• Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology
• Development of the nervous system
• Nutrition and brain function
• Sleep across species
• Sleep and circadian rhythms across life span
• Stress regulation

Publication list in PubMed

Programme management

• Blytt, Kjersti Marie; Flo-Groeneboom, Elisabeth; Mrdalj, Jelena (2024). Søvn og ernæring - hvordan henger dette sammen? . (external link)

Academic article

• Kambestad, Oda Bugge; Sirevåg, Kristine; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2023). Physical Exercise and Serum BDNF Levels: Accounting for the Val66Met Polymorphism in Older Adults. (external link)
• Pedersen, Torhild Thue; Sunde, Erlend; Wisor, Jonathan P. et al. (2022). Sleep homeostasis and night work: a polysomnographic study of daytime sleep following three consecutive simulated night shifts. (external link)
• Sunde, Erlend; Mrdalj, Jelena; Pedersen, Torhild Thue et al. (2022). Bright light exposure during simulated night work improves cognitive flexibility. (external link)
• Marti, Andrea Rørvik; Pedersen, Torhild; Wisor, Jonathan P. et al. (2020). Cognitive function and brain plasticity in a rat model of shift work: role of daily rhythms, sleep and glucocorticoids. (external link)
• Sunde, Erlend; Pedersen, Torhild; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2020). Alerting and Circadian Effects of Short-Wavelength vs. Long-Wavelength Narrow-Bandwidth Light during a Simulated Night Shift. (external link)
• Sunde, Erlend; Mrdalj, Jelena; Pedersen, Torhild et al. (2020). Role of nocturnal light intensity on adaptation to three consecutive night shifts: a counterbalanced crossover study. (external link)
• Sunde, Erlend; Pedersen, Torhild; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2020). Blue-enriched white light improves performance but not subjective alertness and circadian adaptation during three consecutive simulated night shifts. (external link)
• Rempe, Michael J.; Grønli, Janne; Pedersen, Torhild et al. (2018). Mathematical modeling of sleep state dynamics in a rodent model of shift work. (external link)
• Grønli, Janne; Mrdalj, Jelena (2018). Can night shift workers benefit from light exposure?. (external link)
• Bjorvatn, Bjørn; Mrdalj, Jelena; Saxvig, Ingvild W. et al. (2017). Age and sex differences in bedroom habits and bedroom preferences. (external link)
• Marti, Andrea Rørvik; Patil, Sudarshan; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2017). No escaping the rat race: simulated night shift work alters the time-of-day variation in BMAL1 translational activity in the prefrontal cortex. (external link)
• Hossain, Jubayer; Ystaas, Lars Andreas Rømo; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2016). Lentiviral HSV-Tk.007-mediated suicide gene therapy is not toxic for normal brain cells. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Murison, Robert; Soule, Jonathan et al. (2016). Mild daily stressors in adulthood may counteract behavioural effects after constant presence of mother during early life. (external link)
• Steine, Iris Mulders; Zayats, Tetyana; Stansberg, Christine et al. (2016). Implication of NOTCH1 Gene in Susceptibility to Anxiety and Depression among Sexual Abuse Victims. (external link)
• Marti, Andrea Rørvik; Meerlo, Peter; Grønli, Janne et al. (2016). Shift in food intake and changes in metabolic regulation and gene expression during simulated night-shiftwork: A rat model. (external link)
• Grønli, Janne; Meerlo, Peter; Pedersen, Torhild et al. (2016). A rodent model of night-shift work induces short-term and enduring sleep and electroencephalographic disturbances. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Mattson, Åse Lundegaard; Murison, Robert et al. (2014). Hypothermia after chronic mild stress exposure in rats with a history of postnatal maternal separations. (external link)
• Kinn Rød, Anne Marie ; Murison, Robert; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2014). Effects of social defeat on sleep and behaviour: Importance of the confrontational behaviour. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Pallesen, Ståle; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2013). Early and later life stress alter brain activity and sleep in rats. (external link)
• Øines, Eliann; Murison, Robert; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2012). Neonatal maternal separation in male rats increases intestinal permeability and affects behavior after chronic social stress. (external link)
• Steine, Iris Mulders; Milde, Anne Marita; Bjorvatn, Bjørn et al. (2012). English title: The prevalence of sexual abuse in a Norwegian representative population sample. . (external link)
• Breivik, Lars Ertesvåg; Helgeland, Erik; Aarnes, Eva-Katrine et al. (2011). Remote postconditioning by humoral factors in effluent from ischemic preconditioned rat hearts is mediated via PI3K/Akt-dependent cell-survival signaling at reperfusion. (external link)

Academic lecture

• Sunde, Erlend; Mrdalj, Jelena; Pedersen, Torhild Thue et al. (2022). Reversal learning and working memory scanning task performance improve with bright light exposure during simulated night work: a counterbalanced crossover study. (external link)
• Sunde, Erlend; Mrdalj, Jelena; Pedersen, Torhild et al. (2019). Effects of Different Light Intensities on Adaptation to Simulated Night Shifts: A Randomized Counterbalanced Crossover Study. (external link)
• Marti, Andrea Rørvik; Mrdalj, Jelena; Skrede, Silje et al. (2016). Simulated night work alters clock gene expression in central and peripheral tissue in rats.. (external link)
• Steine, Iris Mulders; Zayats, Tetyana; Stansberg, Christine et al. (2016). Implication of NOTCH1 Gene in Comorbid Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in a Sample of Sexual Abuse Victims.. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Pedersen, Torhild Thue; Marti, Andrea Rørvik et al. (2015). Night work - disturbances in sleep and circadian rhythm parameters. An animal model.. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Grønli, Janne (2013). Early and later life stress in rats. Effects on sleep EEG and circadian rhythmicity. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Murison, Robert; Jellestad, Finn Konow et al. (2013). Hypothermia after chronic mild stress exposure in rats with ahistory of postnatal maternal separation. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Pallesen, Ståle; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2011). Early and later life stress leads to a lower brain activity during sleep and wakefulness in rats. (external link)
• Jellestad, Finn Konow; Mrdalj, Jelena; Kinn, Anne Marie et al. (2011). Experiences with the 4ET transmitters in telemetric measurement of EEG, EMG, body temperature and motor activity in male rats exposed to early and later life stress. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Pallesen, Ståle; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2011). Lower brain activity during sleep and wakefullnes; induced by exposure to long maternal separation and chronic mild stress in rats. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Pallesen, Ståle; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2011). Chronic mild stress potentiates a lower brain activity during sleep and wakefulness in rats exposed to long maternal separation. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Murison, Robert; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2010). Early Life Stress and the effect on circadian rhythmicity. The mother - infant relationship in rats as model. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Milde, Anne Marita; Grønli, Janne (2009). Rhythms, sleep and biology after maternal separations. The mother – infant relationship. (external link)

Chapter

• Milde, Anne Marita; Mrdalj, Jelena (2021). Animal models for psychological disorders. (external link)

Poster

• Bjerrum, Louise Haugen; Pedersen, Torhild; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2018). Prolonged photoperiod alters time in sleep and slow-wave activity. The impact of blue-enriched light.. (external link)
• Marti, Andrea Rørvik; Skrede, Silje; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2018). Extending the photoperiod impacts circadian rhythmicity and gene expression in prefrontal cortex and retina- Impact of exposure to blue-enriched light. . (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Sunde, Erlend; Pedersen, Torhild et al. (2018). Effects of bright light on sleepiness and cognitive performance during simulated night shift work.. (external link)
• Marti, Andrea Rørvik; waslander, jorrit; Skrede, Silje et al. (2018). Extended photoperiod alters circadian rhythmicity and expression of neuroplasticity markers. The impact of blue-enriched light.. (external link)
• Grønli, Janne; Marti, Andrea Rørvik; waslander, jorrit et al. (2018). Extended photoperiod alters sleep and expression of synaptic plasticity-associated genes. The impact of blue-enriched light.. (external link)
• Pedersen, Torhild; Mrdalj, Jelena; Pallesen, Ståle et al. (2018). Daytime sleep following bright light exposure during simulated night shift work.. (external link)
• Pedersen, Torhild; Mrdalj, Jelena; Pallesen, Ståle et al. (2018). Bright light exposure during simulated night shift work- impact on daytime sleep.. (external link)
• Pedersen, Torhild; Mrdalj, Jelena; Pallesen, Ståle et al. (2018). Daytime sleep following night shifts- impact of light intensity. (external link)
• Rempe, Michael J.; Pedersen, Torhild Thue; Meerlo, Peter et al. (2016). A rat model for shiftwork: Effects on sleep architecture and sleep homeostasis.. (external link)
• Bjorvatn, Bjørn; Mrdalj, Jelena; Saxvig, Ingvild W. et al. (2016). Use of electronic media in bed and reading in bed after bedtime – Age and sex differences in a representative adult population.. (external link)
• Kinn Rød, Anne Marie ; Murison, Robert; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2013). Effects of Social Defeat on sleep and behaviour: The importance of the confrontational behaviour. (external link)
• Kinn Rød, Anne Marie ; Mrdalj, Jelena; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2012). Sleep Architecture, Behaviour, Corticosterone and Acoustic Startle Response after Double Exposure to Social Defeat in Rats. (external link)
• Grønli, Janne; Milde, Anne Marita; Murison, Robert et al. (2012). Early life stress modulates responses to chronic stress later in life; affective and behavioural outcomes in rats. (external link)
• Kinn, Anne Marie ; Mrdalj, Jelena; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2011). Short- and long- term effects on sleep architecture, behaviour, corticosterone and acoustic startle response after two exposures to social defeat in rats. (external link)
• Grønli, Janne; Murison, Robert; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2011). Animal model of early and later life stress alters body temperature rhythm and induces depression-like symptoms. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Murison, Robert; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2010). Chronic mild stress alters body temperature rhythm and induces depression-like symptoms in rats postnatally exposed to long maternal separation. (external link)
• Øines, Eliann; Murison, Robert; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2010). Chronic social stress increases colonic permeability in rats postnatally exposed to long maternal separation. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Murison, Robert; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2010). Altered Body Temperature Rhythm and Depression-like Symptoms following Early and Later Life Stress in Rats. (external link)
• Kinn, Anne Marie ; Bjorvatn, Bjørn; Mrdalj, Jelena et al. (2010). A study of long-term effects on body temperature rhythm after two exposures to social defeat in rats. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena; Murison, Robert; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2010). Chronic mild stress alters body temperature rhythm and induces depression-like symptoms in rats postnatally exposed to long maternal separations. (external link)

Popular scientific article

• Mrdalj, Jelena (2018). Kan man spise seg til bedre søvn?. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Hva skjer med søvn hos ungdom og hvordan kan vi lære dem at søvn er viktig?. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Basalforskning på WorldSleep konferansen 2015. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Årets publikasjon 2015. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Basalforskning på ESRS 2016. (external link)

Abstract

• Marti, Andrea Rørvik; Mrdalj, Jelena; Skrede, Silje et al. (2016). Simulated night work alters clock gene expression in central and peripheral tissue in rats.. (external link)
• Rempe, Michael J.; Pedersen, Torhild Thue; Meerlo, Peter et al. (2016). A rat model for shiftwork: Effects on sleep architecture and sleep homeostasis.. (external link)
• Bjorvatn, Bjørn; Mrdalj, Jelena; Saxvig, Ingvild W. et al. (2016). Use of electronic media in bed and reading in bed after bedtime – Age and sex differences in a representative adult population.. (external link)
• Kinn Rød, Anne Marie ; Mrdalj, Jelena; Milde, Anne Marita et al. (2012). Sleep architecture, behaviour, corticosterone and acoustic startle response after double exposure to social defeat in rats. (external link)

Interview

• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Derfor sover du dårlig første natten hjemmefra. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Om sene kvelder og lyse netter på sommeren. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Om lyse netter og søvn. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Om å sove ute. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Slik får du sove i ferien. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Om det å sove ut i helgene. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). tips for å sovne raskere. (external link)
• Mrdalj, Jelena (2016). Om søvn i ferien hos barn. (external link)

Doctoral dissertation

• Mrdalj, Jelena (2014). The early life condition. Importance for sleep, circadian rhythmicity, behaviour and response to later life challenges. (external link)

Article in business/trade/industry journal

• Mrdalj, Jelena (2013). Normal utvikling av hjernen. (external link)

Masters thesis

• Mrdalj, Jelena; Srebro, Boleslaw (2006). Meaning of motivation and spontaneous exploration for the firing properties of place cells in CA1 area of hippocampus: electrophysiological study in freely-moving rats. (external link)

See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.

• The early life condition - A translational study of affective and behavioral outcomes and genetic modulation
• Consequences of night shift simulation on waking performance, sleep, circadian rhythmicity and brain function
• Sleep dynamics in rats after exposure to long or short photoperiod

• 2017- Førsteamanuensis, Institutt for Biologisk og Medisinsk Psykologi, UiB
• 2017: Postdoktor, Institutt for Biologisk og Medisinsk Psykologi, UiB
• 2015-2017: Førsteamanuensis, vikar, Institutt for Biologisk og Medisinsk Psykologi, UiB
• 2014-2017: Rådgiver, Nasjonal Kompetansetjeneste for Søvnsykdommer
• 2010-2014: ph.d. utdanning, Institutt for Biologisk og Medisinsk Psykologi, UiB
• 2008-2009: Trainee innen søvnforskning, Nasjonal kompetansetjeneste for søvnsykdommer
• 2004-2006: Master utdanning, humanfysiologi, Institutt for Biomedisin, UiB