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.
Role Of Load Detection And Compensation In Pathogenesis Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,867.00
Summary
This proposal will use novel techniques to explore how defective responses to the threat posed by a collapsing upper airway contribute to the Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome, a disease involving repetitive collapse of the upper airway in sleep. Responses to small increases in the resistance to inspiratory airflow will be examined by measuring the small electrcal responses in the brain to these loads, and the response of the muscles responsible for maintaining airway patency to the collapsing fo ....This proposal will use novel techniques to explore how defective responses to the threat posed by a collapsing upper airway contribute to the Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome, a disease involving repetitive collapse of the upper airway in sleep. Responses to small increases in the resistance to inspiratory airflow will be examined by measuring the small electrcal responses in the brain to these loads, and the response of the muscles responsible for maintaining airway patency to the collapsing forces induced by these loads, in both wakefulness and sleep. The brain's response to resistive loads will also be evaluated using the techique of functional magnetic resonance imaging, which demonstrates areas of the brain activated by a stimulus.Read moreRead less
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
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