Neurobiological Effects Of Sleep Apnea And Sleepiness
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,437.00
Summary
Sleep apnea affects over one million Australians. It not only affects the quality of a persons sleep and the oxygen supply to their brain, but can cause sleepiness during the day which can in turn affect the ability of the person to conduct their normal activities. Over 30,000 sleep studies are conducted annually in Australia and current therapies result in significant improvements in the quality of life of the patient. However, the data analysis during these studies does not give a clear indica ....Sleep apnea affects over one million Australians. It not only affects the quality of a persons sleep and the oxygen supply to their brain, but can cause sleepiness during the day which can in turn affect the ability of the person to conduct their normal activities. Over 30,000 sleep studies are conducted annually in Australia and current therapies result in significant improvements in the quality of life of the patient. However, the data analysis during these studies does not give a clear indication of the degree to which individual patients may have problems with performing their normal tasks during the day. Tasks like driving vehicles are of particular interest due to the potential for accidents through fatigue or a lack of concentration. This research is designed to investigate the impact of sleep apnea on brain function and daytime performance using certain new techniques - more sophisticated analysis of the brain's activity, detection of brain chemicals and metabolism using a specific form of brain scan called MR spectroscopy, a special monotonous computer based driving simulator, an other tests of performance. We will assess a large group of patients with sleep apnea to determine how the impact of sleep apnea on performance may be differ throughout the population and how this may be affected by the current standard treatment for sleep apnea. We will examine the impact on brain function and performance of removing the current standard therapy in a group of patients previously diagnosed with sleep apnea (as this is a common occurrence in the community). We will also repeat some specific measurements on a control group without any symptoms of sleep apnea for the purpose of comparison. We plan to show a relationship between the effects of sleep apnea and the ability of a person to carry out activities such as driving and thinking. We will then be able to better assess the risk a patient may face and the most appropriate way to treat them.Read moreRead less
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.
Cardiovascular, Neurophysiological And Neurocognitive Assessments To Define Sleep Disordered Breathing In Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$324,008.00
Summary
Disruptions to breathing during sleep (snoring), known as sleep disordered breathing occurs in up to 27% of children and forms a continuum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It has previously been thought that only severe disruptions to breathing, as occurs in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), were of clinical significance requiring intervention, however recent studies have shown that even snoring with no currently used signs of altered blood oxygenation levels or sleep disruption can have a ....Disruptions to breathing during sleep (snoring), known as sleep disordered breathing occurs in up to 27% of children and forms a continuum of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. It has previously been thought that only severe disruptions to breathing, as occurs in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), were of clinical significance requiring intervention, however recent studies have shown that even snoring with no currently used signs of altered blood oxygenation levels or sleep disruption can have a significant impact on daytime functioning and school performance. It is also known that cardiovascular disease is a long-term consequence of untreated sleep disordered breathing in adults, however the long-term effects on the cardiovascular system in children are unknown. This study will examine both the neurocognitive and cardiovascular effects of a range of severities of sleep disordered breathing in children and will identify new more sensitive markers of sleep disruption in order to predict neurocognitive dysfunction. In order to address this most important issue, this project will combine the expertise of scientists and clinicians in the fields of paediatric sleep, cardiovascular control and neuropsychological assessment from Monash and Melbourne Universities, and the Monash Medical Centre and Royal Children's Hospital.Read moreRead less
Expanding The Role For Non-Invasive Ventilation In Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$315,375.00
Summary
Many patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) have disturbed breathing during sleep and poor sleep quality. Our preliminary data shows the problems may be worse during flare ups of the disease, with patients having less dreaming (REM) sleep causing reduced daytime attention and concentration. This could have adverse consequences for exam performance, work ability and driving skills. Also, even with maximum treatment, flare ups can result in permanent loss of lung capacity and quality of life. We propo ....Many patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) have disturbed breathing during sleep and poor sleep quality. Our preliminary data shows the problems may be worse during flare ups of the disease, with patients having less dreaming (REM) sleep causing reduced daytime attention and concentration. This could have adverse consequences for exam performance, work ability and driving skills. Also, even with maximum treatment, flare ups can result in permanent loss of lung capacity and quality of life. We propose a novel approach to treat the flare ups with short-term portable assisted ventilation (nBVS) as well as standard treatment as we strongly believe that the portable ventilator will improve gas exchange with better matching of ventilation and blood flow and will hasten recovery. We believe that long term nBVS will be superior to oxygen therapy alone in delaying the onset of respiratory failure and improving survival. We have convincing evidence to suggest that nBVS improves ventilation perfusion distributions rapidly and that this benefit increases over 6 months of regular use. The likely explanation is that it keeps the airways open and reduces mucus plugging. In short, nBVS is a treatment in its own right for abnormal gas exchange in CF. The ideal time for nBVS is during sleep when it can be used for a long time period when patients are most at risk of falls in oxygen saturation. In summary, we believe that nBVS is likely to have a major impact in delaying the progession of disease and improving patient outcomes. Almost all patients with CF have evidence of sinus disease and many have nasal polyps. We have convincing questionnaire data showing an association between sinusitis, nasal obstruction and poor sleep quality. Our preliminary sleep study data in patients with active sinusitis confirm multiple arousals and sleep fragmentation. We plan to examine the impact of sinus surgery in improving sleep disordered breathing and quality of life in patients with CF.Read moreRead less
Novel Mechanism Underlying The Behavioural And Neurocognitive Deficits In Children With Sleep Disorders.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$312,296.00
Summary
About one third of Australian children have a sleep disorder. Behavioural or academic problems are common in these children, however the link between sleep and daytime problems is still not clear. New research suggests the pattern of brain activity during deep sleep may provide some answers. This study will explore the link between brain activity during deep sleep and daytime functioning in children with sleep disorders, providing valuable information for treatment.
This fellowship will support a clinical researcher whose focus is improving metabolic and reproductive health by manipulating hormones and improving sleep. This will be achieved from a platform of NHMRC project grants and a NHMRC CCRE in interdisciplinary sleep health.
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
Determining The Contribution Of Orexin Receptor Subtypes To Sleep Architecture
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$882,075.00
Summary
Sleep is an essential process that follows a regular pattern every night. The brain orexin system is a promising new target for sleep-inducing drugs; however it is not clear how best to manipulate this system to reproduce the cycles of sleep necessary to receive all the benefits sleep has to offer. This project will elucidate the contribution of the different components of the orexin system to the characteristics of sleep. This will facilitate the development of better treatments for insomnia.