Profile of Dr. Banno, Sleep Medicine Specialist

Overview / Credentials

With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Banno has treated the full spectrum of sleep disorders and is recognized internationally for his contributions to sleep medicine, both in research and in clinical practice.

 

Education & Academic Achievements

Dr. Banno graduated summa cum laude from Aichi Medical University School of Medicine in 1998, earning the Dean’s Award for Excellence (1997) and a Presidential Commendation for outstanding academic performance.

 

While still a fifth-year medical student, he took—and passed—the same graduation examination given to sixth-year students, achieving a score above the official passing standard. This rare accomplishment earned him a special commendation from the University President, Emeritus Professor Itsuro Sobue, a nationally renowned neurologist and medical educator in Japan.

 

Following the advice of Dr. Hiroshi Ikeda, Emeritus Professor of Pathology—who encouraged him to “aim for 100% on the national board exam, as even one mistake could one day cost a life”—Dr. Banno achieved a self-scored 90% on Japan’s National Medical Board Examination—one of the highest in his cohort. He later obtained his PhD in Internal Medicine in 2003. This formative lesson continues to shape his unwavering commitment to the highest standards of patient care.

 

Dr. Banno has twice completed advanced clinical training at the Sleep Disorders Centre of St. Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Canada. These fellowships were conducted under the mentorship of Professor Meir Kryger, a world authority in sleep medicine and Emeritus Professor at Yale University, best known as the editor of Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine.

 

Since first attending the SLEEP Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in 1999, Dr. Banno has participated a total of 21 times, continually updating his knowledge with the latest advances in sleep medicine. From 2023 to 2025, he traveled again to the United States to attend in person, ensuring his practice remains aligned with global best practices.

 

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Banno provides comprehensive care for patients across the lifespan—from pediatric to geriatric—addressing the full range of sleep disorders defined in the ICSD-3TR. His approach considers not only the type of disorder but also sex-specific factors and life-stage differences, such as sleep disturbances during pregnancy, post-menopause in women, and cardiovascular risk–related sleep problems in men.

 

His clinical scope includes:

Insomnia, managed with evidence-based strategies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and sleep hygiene education.

 

Sleep-related breathing disorders (obstructive and central sleep apnea), with integrated care for comorbid conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, and metabolic syndrome.

 

Hypersomnias (narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia), diagnosed using Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and other international gold-standard protocols.

 

Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, including shift work disorder, treated with tailored light therapy, behavioral interventions, and schedule optimization.

 

Parasomnias, from REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) to confusional arousals, with risk assessment for associated neurological conditions.

 

Sleep-related movement disorders, including restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder.

 

Dr. Banno is skilled in utilizing advanced diagnostic modalities such as polysomnography (PSG), multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), maintenance wakefulness test (MWT), and home sleep apnea testing, ensuring each diagnosis meets international standards.

 

His background in internal medicine and cardiology enables him to manage patients with multimorbidity, where sleep disorders intersect with cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological diseases.

 

He also provides specialized support for populations with unique sleep challenges, including night-shift workers, long-haul drivers, competitive athletes, and students facing academic performance demands.

 

Research & Publications

Dr. Banno has authored numerous peer-reviewed papers in high-impact international journals, often as first author. Representative publications include:

 

Banno K, Delaive K, Walld R, Kryger MH. Restless legs syndrome in 218 patients: associated disorders. Sleep Med. 2000;1(3):221-229.

Banno K, Walld R, Kryger MH. Increasing obesity trends in patients with sleep-disordered breathing referred to a sleep disorders center. J Clin Sleep Med. 2005;1:364-366.

Banno K, Manfreda J, Walld R, Delaive K, Kryger MH. Healthcare utilization in women with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome 2 years after diagnosis and treatment. Sleep. 2006;29:1307-11.

Banno K, Kryger MH. Sleep apnea: clinical investigations in humans. Sleep Med. 2007;8:400-26.

Banno K, Ramsey C, Walld R, Kryger MH. Expenditure on health care in obese women with and without sleep apnea. Sleep. 2009;32:274-252.

 

A full list of publications is available on PubMed.

 

Professional Engagement

Dr. Banno has presented his research and clinical findings at leading international conferences, including the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) Annual Meeting in the United States, the World Congress on Sleep Apnea in Finland, and scientific meetings of the Japanese Society of Sleep Research.

 

He has been featured as a medical expert on Japanese television (CHUKYO TV, Fuji TV, NHK), in major national newspapers (Nikkei, Asahi Shimbun), and in health-focused online media, enhancing public awareness of sleep medicine.

 

From July 2012 to June 2025, Dr. Banno served on the Credentials/Membership Committee of the American College of Physicians (ACP) Japan Chapter, contributing to membership standards and professional credential evaluation. For the final four years of this tenure, he held the leadership role of Chubu District Group Leader, fostering professional networking and academic exchange within the region.

 

In 2024, he was honored with the ACP Japan Chapter Contribution Award for his outstanding service. Since July 2024, he has served on the Local Nominations Committee of the ACP Japan Chapter, supporting the selection of future leaders in the organization.

 

Since 2013, Dr. Banno has also been a member of the Electrocardiogram Interpretation Committee of the Gifu Medical Association, contributing to the accurate reading and quality assurance of ECG examinations across the region.

 

Community & Educational Contributions

Committed to public education, Dr. Banno supervises free consultation services for individuals with sleep disorders and serves as a mentor for high school students conducting sleep research projects (details in Japanese).

 

Dr. Banno was interviewed and served as a mentor for one such high school sleep research project, which went on to win the Gold Prize at the Jiyū-sugiru Kenkyū® EXPO (Free-style Research EXPO) 2025, recognizing the project’s excellence in scientific inquiry and presentation skills.

 

Philosophy & Ongoing Commitment

Dr. Banno’s guiding principle—Ad centum pro centum — vita pendet (“Strive for 100% — lives depend on it”)—continues to guide his unwavering commitment to the highest standards of care. His practice blends compassion, scientific rigor, and personalized, evidence-based treatment, ensuring that every patient benefits from the latest advancements in sleep medicine.

 

From childhood challenges to international training, and the diverse fields that shaped my approach to sleep medicine — you can read the complete story here:

 

The Story of Dr. Katsuhisa Banno – A Multi-Specialty Sleep Doctor