DEEP LEARNING AND PHYSIOLOGY BASED APPROACH TO DERIVE AND LINK OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA PHENOTYPES AND SYMPTOMATOLOGY
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,978.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a highly prevalent nocturnal breathing disorder strongly related to daytime sleepiness, accident risk and reduced quality of life. However, the current severity index, the apnoea-hypopnoea index, poorly predicts daytime sleepiness and vigilance. In this project we elegantly combine physiological insight and artificial intelligence to develop and evaluate novel clinically applicable computational tools for detailed quantification of OSA severity and its symptoms.
Experimental Investigation Of Driving Impairment In Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$466,764.00
Summary
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects 2-4% of the adult population. Repetitive throat obstructions at night lead to sleep disturbance and oxygen deprivation which in turn lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and poor concentration. Studies in severely affected OSA patients have demonstrated driving simulator performance impairment and a 2-7 fold increased rate of motor vehicle accidents. Current data suggest that up to 50,000 MVAs may be caused each year in Australia by OSA. While driving impair ....Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects 2-4% of the adult population. Repetitive throat obstructions at night lead to sleep disturbance and oxygen deprivation which in turn lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and poor concentration. Studies in severely affected OSA patients have demonstrated driving simulator performance impairment and a 2-7 fold increased rate of motor vehicle accidents. Current data suggest that up to 50,000 MVAs may be caused each year in Australia by OSA. While driving impairment and increased crash risk in severe OSA seems clear it is not known whether patients with mild-moderate disease are also affected. This is an important question since patients with mild-moderate disease make up the great majority of OSA sufferers and therefore potentially pose the greatest concern for overall public safety. This study will determine whether mild-moderate, as well as severe, OSA is associated with driving impairment. The study will also determine how partial sleep deprivation and low dose alcohol impact on driving performance in OSA. These two behaviours are considered part of the norm for modern societies, yet we recently showed that they act synergistically to markedly impair driving in healthy subjects. We suspect that years of prior sleep disturbance and oxygen deprivation will render OSA sufferers more vulnerable to the effects of these additional central nervous system insults. Finally, we will determine how well driving impairment in severe OSA responds to nose mask CPAP treatment. We will find out what minimum level of treatment adherence is needed to produce significant improvement and whether driving impairment is ever truly reversed. The information obtained in this study will inform and significantly improve patient care,fitness to drive guidelines and driver safety campaigns.Read moreRead less
Collapsibility Of The Human Upper Airway: Relationships Between Sleep, Sedation, Anaesthesia And Head Posture.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$469,359.00
Summary
The proposed studies will examine the sites and mechanisms of narrowing and collapse of the upper airway (throat) in individuals with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) during different levels of general anaesthesia, stages of sleep and head postures. The studies will help us understand the reasons for upper airway collapse in individuals with OSA and may result in the development of methods of identifying the most appropriate patients for specific surgical treatments of OSA.
Mechanisms And Treatment Of Upper Airway Collapse In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,668.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterized by intermittent closure of the upper airway (throat) resulting in episodes of decreased blood oxygen levels, increased blood pressure and disturbed sleep. Repetitive overnight arousals from sleep cause excessive daytime tiredness and lethargy, which have major consequences for social well-being and productivity in our community. OSA is a common condition, affecting as many as 2 to 4% of middle aged adults, and is associated with an increased cardio ....Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is characterized by intermittent closure of the upper airway (throat) resulting in episodes of decreased blood oxygen levels, increased blood pressure and disturbed sleep. Repetitive overnight arousals from sleep cause excessive daytime tiredness and lethargy, which have major consequences for social well-being and productivity in our community. OSA is a common condition, affecting as many as 2 to 4% of middle aged adults, and is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, however the mechanisms underlying the increased upper airway collapsibility in individuals with OSA are not well understood. The proposed studies represent a series of investigations into fundamental mechanisms of neural and mechanical control of upper airway patency, how these mechanisms act to stabilize the upper airway, and whether these reflex control mechanisms can be manipulated to provide a novel treatment for OSA.Read moreRead less
There are many challenges to the management of sleep disorders. There is mounting evidence that sleep problems promote impaired memory and thinking and ultimately dementia. My research will focus on improving detection and management of sleep disorders using cutting edge technologies in different patient groups with the aim of maximising brain health. This will be achieved by a range of new treatments including clinical trials, digital health approaches and new ways of improving deep sleep.
Mechanisms Of Pharyngeal Collapse In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Defined By Optical Coherence Tomography
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,764.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnoea is characterised by intermittent collapse of the upper airway (throat) resulting in episodes of decreased blood oxygen levels, increased blood pressure and sleep disruption. Obstructive sleep apnoea is common, affecting 5% of middle-aged adults, and is associated with worsening health, increased motor vehicle accidents and increased risk of heart disease. However the mechanisms responsible for obstructive sleep apnoea are not well understood. One reason for this lack of ....Obstructive sleep apnoea is characterised by intermittent collapse of the upper airway (throat) resulting in episodes of decreased blood oxygen levels, increased blood pressure and sleep disruption. Obstructive sleep apnoea is common, affecting 5% of middle-aged adults, and is associated with worsening health, increased motor vehicle accidents and increased risk of heart disease. However the mechanisms responsible for obstructive sleep apnoea are not well understood. One reason for this lack of understanding is that current diagnostic techniques can not accurately measure changes in the size and shape of the upper airway during sleep. Such information is vital for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. This project proposes to use a technique called endoscopic optical coherence tomography (eOCT), recently developed by ourselves, to measure the changes in upper airway size and shape in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea during wakefulness and, importantly, during sleep. A prototype of the system has been developed. Preliminary in vivo studies have been performed in the human upper airway and the results from these preliminary trials have been published. To our knowledge, world-wide, this is the only such system capable of making these measurements. The studies proposed in this application will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying obstructive sleep apnoea and may lead to the development of greatly improved and more specific treatments that are tailored to the exact needs of the individual patient.Read moreRead less
Local Sleep In The Awake Brain: An Underlying Cause Of Neurobehavioural Deficits In Sleep Apnea?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$582,330.00
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder which significantly impacts daytime functioning leading to excessive sleepiness, and problems with attention and thinking. Currently, the causes for cognitive impairment in OSA (including attentional lapses and performance deficits) are poorly understood. In the awake state, groups of neurons can briefly go “offline” as they do in sleep. These periods of “local sleep” may explain impaired task performance in OSA.
Addressing Therapeutic Challenges In Sleep Disorders
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$851,980.00
Summary
The aim of this fellowship is to improve the health and well-being of Australians by reducing the burden of sleep and disorders that disrupt the body clock such as shift work. My program will involve different fields of research combining their efforts together to understand more about sleep apnea and insomnia, the two most common sleep disorders. By this strategy, better treatment for sleep disorders will be found with particular impact on our aging population
Mothers' Sleep In The Postpartum Period: Effects On Safety-sensitive Tasks
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$71,252.00
Summary
Mothers' elevated sleepiness levels in the postpartum period and their exposure to safety-sensitive tasks is a significant issue that requires investigation. Research suggests that elevated sleepiness levels are associated with reduced cognitive and motor performance, which are vital when performing tasks with safety implications. This study will determine whether mothers' risk of injury, due to sleepiness, can be significantly reduced via improved knowledge and an evidence based intervention.