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A-Prof Wheatley is a respiratory and sleep disorders physician investigating the pathogenesis, health consequences and management of sleep breathing disorders, including sleep apnoea and snoring.
The Role Of Snoring Vibrations In The Pathogenesis Of Early Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$593,833.00
Summary
Habitual snoring is a very common problem in the adult population, with a prevalence of between 20-40%. Increasingly it is now recognised that snoring may be an independent risk factor for the development of stroke. In this proposal, we will explore the hypothesis that chronic snoring transmits a pressure wave through the tissues of the neck to the carotid artery which may damage the artery wall and subsequently lead to stroke. This may lead to new strategies to treat habitual snoring.
THE VASCULAR CONSEQUENCES OF SNORING AND OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,052.00
Summary
Snoring refers to a condition where the throat narrows significantly during sleep, and allows the soft tissues which surround this part of the airway to vibrate and create the typical snoring noise. Habitual snoring is a very common problem in the adult population, with a prevalence of between 20-40%. More severe forms of snoring are associated with the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, which is a condition in which the throat completely blocks behind the tongue and palate during sleep leading ....Snoring refers to a condition where the throat narrows significantly during sleep, and allows the soft tissues which surround this part of the airway to vibrate and create the typical snoring noise. Habitual snoring is a very common problem in the adult population, with a prevalence of between 20-40%. More severe forms of snoring are associated with the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome, which is a condition in which the throat completely blocks behind the tongue and palate during sleep leading to cessation of breathing for short periods of time. Sleep apnoea is among the commonest chronic disorders of adult males occurring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. Increasingly, it is now recognised that snoring, without sleep apnoea, may be an independent risk factor for the development of both of these very common and significant medical disorders. However, there have been no studies exploring the mechanisms by which snoring might contribute to the development of stroke and hypertension. In this proposal, we will explore the hypothesis that chronic snoring transmits a pressure wave through the tissues of the neck to the carotid artery which is the main blood supply to the brain. We propose that the chronic vibration of this artery leads to disease such as atherosclerosis and hypertension. Our studies will help to prove that this is a common mechanism whereby both snoring and sleep apnoea may contribute to the development of important vascular diseases. Studies will also establish the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in snorers (with and without OSA), and the prevalence of habitual snoring and OSA in patients at risk of developoing completed stroke. The recognition of snoring as an independent risk factor for vascular disease will clearly have important and wide ranging implications for the future management of snoring in the prevention of stroke and hypertension.Read moreRead less
Microvascular And Macrovascular Disease In Snoring And Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Mechanism For Increased Stroke Risk.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$679,744.00
Summary
This project will address the important question of the vascular risk of stroke associated with snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea, by using retinal photography of the eye to directly visualise the vascular changes in the cerebral circulation. Retinal photography may provide a useful clinical tool to help reduce the risk of stroke in patients with snoring and sleep apnoea.
Centre For Clinical Research Excellence In Respiratory And Sleep Medicine
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,200,000.00
Summary
The CCRE will enhance Australia's international research reputation in clinical respiratory and sleep medicine by enhancing links between hospital-based investigators. This will foster development of new clinical researchers in these fields. Major research projects will include reducing side effects of asthma therapy in the elderly, better and cheaper ways of diagnosing disorders such as sleep apnoea and blood clots in the lung, keeping patients with chronic lung diseases out of hospital and avo ....The CCRE will enhance Australia's international research reputation in clinical respiratory and sleep medicine by enhancing links between hospital-based investigators. This will foster development of new clinical researchers in these fields. Major research projects will include reducing side effects of asthma therapy in the elderly, better and cheaper ways of diagnosing disorders such as sleep apnoea and blood clots in the lung, keeping patients with chronic lung diseases out of hospital and avoiding accidents due to lack of sleep.Read moreRead less
Lung disease is a major cause of death and disability world-wide. Tuberculosis was responsible for 1.4 million deaths in 2011. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been high priority diseases in Australia for many years. It was estimated that there were over 3 million deaths attributable to particulate air pollution in 2010. In this Fellowship I will undertake a series of projects designed to improve our understanding of these diseases and their causes.
Translating Respiratory And Environmental Epidemiology Into Improved Lung Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$319,714.00
Summary
Chronic respiratory disease, tuberculosis and the effects of air pollution are important health problems globally. Evaluating current approaches to dealing with these problems and developing new approaches requires good data. Over the next five years I will lead a number of studies addressing these issues, in Australia and internationally, in order to provided the strongest possible evidence to underpin policy.
How Do Thick Airway Walls Affect Airway Hyperresponsiveness In Asthma?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$382,538.00
Summary
Asthmatic airways narrow too easily, a characteristic called airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). To understand the cause of asthma we need to understand the cause of AHR. Thickened airway walls could amplify airway narrowing and increase AHR. However, thick airway walls are also stiff, and stiff walls could reduce narrowing and AHR. This project will examine the relationships between AHR and airway wall thickness and stiffness during and after treatment that reduces airway wall thickness.
THE BAROREFLEX IN SNORING AND THE OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNOEA HYPOPNOEA SYNDROME
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,261.00
Summary
The obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) refers to a condition in which throat blockage occurs during sleep leading to breathing difficulties, including snoring and cessation of breathing for short periods of time. OSAHS is amongst the commonest of chronic disorders of adult males, occuring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. It is now recognised that one of the major complications of OSAHS is the development of high blood pressure and heart disease. In the proposed studies, we ....The obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) refers to a condition in which throat blockage occurs during sleep leading to breathing difficulties, including snoring and cessation of breathing for short periods of time. OSAHS is amongst the commonest of chronic disorders of adult males, occuring in 5% of men over the age of 45 years. It is now recognised that one of the major complications of OSAHS is the development of high blood pressure and heart disease. In the proposed studies, we will examine the proposal that snoring alone, without significant associated OSAHS, can also lead to high blood pressure in habitual snorers both awake and asleep. In particular, we will explore the hypothesis that chronic snoring transmits a pressure wave through the tissues of the neck to the carotid artery which is the main blood supply to the brain. We propose that the chronic vibration of this artery can alter pressure sensors in the artery wall, which then results in the persistance of high blood pressure. Our studies will help to prove that this is a mechanism whereby both snoring and OSAHS may contribute to the development of high blood pressure. The recognition of snoring as an independent risk factor for high blood pressure will clearly have important and wide ranging implications for the future management of snoring in the prevention of high blood pressure.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of CPAP Treatment On Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis In Heavy Snoring And Mild Sleep Disordered Breathing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,512.00
Summary
Mild sleep disordered breathing, including habitual snoring, is a very common problem in the adult population, with a prevalence of between 20-40%. Increasingly it is now recognised that habitual snoring may be an independent risk factor for the development of stroke. In this proposal we will explore the hypothesis that treatment for snoring will slow or stop the development of carotid artery atherosclerosis.