The Role Of Arousal In The Pathogenesis Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Implications For Novel Therapeutic Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$297,888.00
Summary
This research forms part of a series of studies aimed at characterizing the relative importance of the various physiological causes (phenotypes) of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has the potential to lead to individually tailored novel therapies according to these traits. Specifically, this proposed research will investigate the role of arousal from sleep (brief awakening) in OSA and explore methods of manipulating the arousal threshold as a new treatment approach for certain OSA patients.
Clarifying The Pathogenic Role Of Arousal-hyperventilation In Obstructive And Central Sleep Apnoea: Testing Fundamental Pathophysiological Mechanisms And A Strategic New Treatment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$414,717.00
Summary
This project is designed to understand the mechanisms underpinning much more stable breathing during deep sleep in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). A newly developed analytical technique will be used to examine breathing effort changes across sleep, and interactions with respiratory-induced awakenings in OSA patients. In addition, a new treatment designed to stabilise breathing will be tested and refined towards a new treatment option for OSA and for central sleep apnoea.
Novel Therapeutic Phenotyping For Sleep Apnoea - A Paradoxical Role For Sedatives
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$639,168.00
Summary
Sleeping pill (sedative) use has risen dramatically. Sedatives may worsen a common breathing condition called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Accordingly, their use has been discouraged in OSA. However, recent studies indicate that certain sedatives may actually reduce OSA severity in some patients. By studying the effects of common sedatives on OSA and breathing, this proposal aims to explain these apparent paradoxical responses and ultimately provide a new treatment approach for OSA.
The Role Of Sedatives And Arousal In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea – Pathophysiology And Therapeutic Utility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$415,218.00
Summary
Recent studies indicate that certain sleeping pills (sedatives) may actually reduce obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) severity in some patients. This research aims to determine the: 1) characteristics of patients who are most likely to respond to this novel approach. 2) effects of commonly prescribed sedatives on upper airway function and breathing during sleep. 3) utility for a sedative to yield sustained reductions in OSA severity and daytime sleepiness in the appropriately selected OSA patients.
The Role Of Arousal And Respiratory Control Factors In The Pathogenesis Of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,924.00
Summary
Sleep apnoea (OSA) is a very common breathing disorder in sleep characterized by repetitive closure of the collapsible portion of the throat with serious effects on sleep quality and health. Basic causes of OSA are still largely unknown. We will investigate waking responses to breathing load and related respiratory control factors that we believe may be fundamental causes of OSA, and potentially explain many features of OSA including worsening in light sleep and with increasing age.
Impact Of Sleep Disordered Breathing On Cardiovascular, Behavioural And Neurocognitive Function In Preschool Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,703.00
Summary
Studies in school age children have shown that disruption to normal sleep patterns resulting from sleep disordered breathing (SDB) has severe consequences for both the cardiovascular system and neurocognition. To date there have been limited investigations of the effects of SDB in pre-school children despite the knowledge that disruptions to breathing during sleep are maximal at this age and the central nervous system which is immature and developing at this time, is most vulnerable to injury.