Upper airway resistance and geniohyoid muscle activity in normal men during wakefulness and sleep

1990 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 1252-1261 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Wiegand ◽  
B. Latz ◽  
C. W. Zwillich ◽  
L. Wiegand
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Airway Resistance ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Supraglottic Airway ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Upper Airway Resistance ◽  
Normal Men

Sleep-related reduction in geniohyoid muscular support may lead to increased airway resistance in normal subjects. To test this hypothesis, we studied seven normal men throughout a single night of sleep. We recorded inspiratory supraglottic airway resistance, geniohyoid muscle electromyographic (EMGgh) activity, sleep staging, and ventilatory parameters in these subjects during supine nasal breathing. Mean inspiratory upper airway resistance was significantly (P less than 0.01) increased in these subjects during all stages of sleep compared with wakefulness, reaching highest levels during non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep [awake 2.5 +/- 0.6 (SE) cmH2O.l-1.s, stage 2 NREM sleep 24.1 +/- 11.1, stage 3/4 NREM sleep 30.2 +/- 12.3, rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep 13.0 +/- 6.7]. Breath-by-breath linear correlation analyses of upper airway resistance and time-averaged EMGgh amplitude demonstrated a significant (P less than 0.05) negative correlation (r = -0.44 to -0.55) between these parameters in five of seven subjects when data from all states (wakefulness and sleep) were combined. However, we found no clear relationship between normalized upper airway resistance and EMGgh activity during individual states (wakefulness, stage 2 NREM sleep, stage 3/4 NREM sleep, and REM sleep) when data from all subjects were combined. The timing of EMGgh onset relative to the onset of inspiratory airflow did not change significantly during wakefulness, NREM sleep, and REM sleep. Inspiratory augmentation of geniohyoid activity generally preceded the start of inspiratory airflow. The time from onset of inspiratory airflow to peak inspiratory EMGgh activity was significantly increased during sleep compared with wakefulness (awake 0.81 +/- 0.04 s, NREM sleep 1.01 +/- 0.04, REM sleep 1.04 +/- 0.05; P less than 0.05). These data indicate that sleep-related changes in geniohyoid muscle activity may influence upper airway resistance in some subjects. However, the relationship between geniohyoid muscle activity and upper airway resistance was complex and varied among subjects, suggesting that other factors must also be considered to explain sleep influences on upper airway patency.

Response of genioglossus muscle activity to nasal airway occlusion in normal sleeping adults

1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 347-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. T. Kuna ◽  
J. Smickley
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Mouth Breathing ◽  
Nasal Airway ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Genioglossus Muscle ◽  
Airway Occlusion

To determine the combined effect of increased subatmospheric upper airway pressure and withdrawal of phasic volume feedback from the lung on genioglossus muscle activity, the response of this muscle to intermittent nasal airway occlusion was studied in 12 normal adult males during sleep. Nasal occlusion at end expiration was achieved by inflating balloon-tipped catheters located within the portals of a nose mask. No seal was placed over the mouth. During nose breathing in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep, nasal airway occlusion resulted in multiple respiratory efforts before arousal. Mouth breathing was not initiated until arousal. Phasic inspiratory genioglossus activity was present in eight subjects during NREM sleep. In these subjects, comparison of peak genioglossus inspiratory activity on the first three occluded efforts to the value just before occlusion showed an increase of 4.7, 16.1, and 28.0%, respectively. The relative increases in peak genioglossus activity were very similar to respective increases in peak diaphragm activity. Arousal was associated with a large burst in genioglossus activity. During airway occlusion in rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, mouth breathing could occur without a change in sleep state. In general, genioglossus responses to airway occlusion in REM sleep were similar in pattern to those in NREM sleep. A relatively small reflex activation of upper airway muscles associated with a sudden increase in subatmospheric pressure in the potentially collapsible segment of the upper airway may help compromise upper airway patency during sleep.

Geniohyoid muscle activity in normal men during wakefulness and sleep

1990 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 1262-1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Wiegand ◽  
B. Latz ◽  
C. W. Zwillich ◽  
L. Wiegand
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Muscle Activity ◽  
Sleep Stage ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Nasal Breathing ◽  
Sleep Study ◽  
Pharyngeal Airway ◽  
Normal Men

Reduction in the activity of upper airway "dilator" muscles during sleep may allow the pharyngeal airway to collapse in some individuals. However, quantitative studies concerning the effect of sleep on specific upper airway muscles that may influence pharyngeal patency are sparse and inconclusive. We studied seven normal men (mean age 27, range 22-37 yr) during a single nocturnal sleep study and recorded sleep staging parameters, ventilation, and geniohyoid muscle electromyogram (EMGgh) during nasal breathing throughout the night. Anatomic landmarks for placement of intramuscular geniohyoid recording electrodes were determined from a cadaver study. These landmarks were used in percutaneous placement of wire electrodes, and raw and moving-time-averaged EMGgh activities were recorded. Sleep stage was determined using standard criteria. Stable periods of wakefulness and non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep were selected for analysis. The EMGgh exhibited phasic inspiratory activity during wakefulness and sleep in all subjects. In six of seven subjects, mean and peak inspiratory EMGgh activities were significant (P less than 0.05) reduced during stages 2 and 3/4 NREM sleep and REM sleep compared with wakefulness. This reduction of EMGgh activity was shown to result from a sleep-related decline in the level of tonic muscle activity. Phasic inspiratory EMGgh activity during all stages of sleep was not significantly different from that during wakefulness. Of interest, tonic, phasic, and peak EMGgh activities were not significantly reduced during REM sleep compared with any other sleep stage in any subject. In addition, the slope of onset of phasic EMGgh activity was not different during stage 2 NREM and REM sleep compared with wakefulness in these subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An induced blood pressure rise does not alter upper airway resistance in sleeping humans

1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine R. Wilson ◽  
Shalini Manchanda ◽  
David Crabtree ◽  
James B. Skatrud ◽  
Jerome A. Dempsey
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Arterial Pressure ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Airway Resistance ◽  
Pressure Rise ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep ◽  
Upper Airway Resistance ◽  
Blood Pressure Rise

Wilson, Christine R., Shalini Manchanda, David Crabtree, James B. Skatrud, and Jerome A. Dempsey. An induced blood pressure rise does not alter upper airway resistance in sleeping humans. J. Appl. Physiol. 84(1): 269–276, 1998.—Sleep apnea is associated with episodic increases in systemic blood pressure. We investigated whether transient increases in arterial pressure altered upper airway resistance and/or breathing pattern in nine sleeping humans (snorers and nonsnorers). A pressure-tipped catheter was placed below the base of the tongue, and flow was measured from a nose or face mask. During non-rapid-eye-movement sleep, we injected 40- to 200-μg iv boluses of phenylephrine. Parasympathetic blockade was used if bradycardia was excessive. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) rose by 20 ± 5 (mean ± SD) mmHg (range 12–37 mmHg) within 12 s and remained elevated for 105 s. There were no significant changes in inspiratory or expiratory pharyngeal resistance (measured at peak flow, peak pressure, 0.2 l/s or by evaluating the dynamic pressure-flow relationship). At peak MAP, end-tidal CO2 pressure fell by 1.5 Torr and remained low for 20–25 s. At 26 s after peak MAP, tidal volume fell by 19%, consistent with hypocapnic ventilatory inhibition. We conclude that transient increases in MAP of a magnitude commonly observed during non-rapid-eye-movement sleep-disordered breathing do not increase upper airway resistance and, therefore, will not perpetuate subsequent obstructive events.

Negative pressure-induced deformation of the upper airway causes central apnea in awake and sleeping dogs

1996 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
pp. 1528-1539 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. Harms ◽  
Y. J. Zeng ◽  
C. A. Smith ◽  
E. H. Vidruk ◽  
J. A. Dempsey
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Negative Pressure ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Topical Anesthetic ◽  
Control Value ◽  
States Of Consciousness

We investigated the effects of negative pressure (NP) in the isolated upper airway (UA) in three unanesthetized dogs. The UA was isolated, and the dogs breathed through an endotracheal tube while wearing a fitted fiberglass snout mask. NP (-2 to -32 cmH2O) was applied in a square wave below the larynx or at the snout at end expiration and was held until inspiratory effort during wakefulness, non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep, and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. During all states of consciousness, NP applied to the UA prolonged expiratory time (TE) 1) below a threshold of -8 to -10 cmH2O, which coincided with closure of the oro- and/or velopharynx; and 2) in a progressive fashion at more negative pressures than threshold, up to a mean apneic length of 324% of the control value (or 13.9 s) at -30 cmH2O. TE prolongation was less during REM sleep at a given NP (P < 0.05). Augmented tonic genioglossal electromyographic activity also occurred with the applied NP during wakefulness and NREM sleep but not with REM sleep. NP (-20 to -32 cmH2O) applied as a brief pulse (300-500 ms) during NREM sleep caused transient airway occlusion, terminated the breath during inspiration, and prolonged TE when applied at end expiration. Central apneas always persisted beyond the termination of the UA closure. TE prolongation in response to NP persisted in the presence of a topical anesthetic nebulized through the UA sufficient to abolish the laryngeal gag reflexes. We conclude that UA closure and deformation will cause significant TE prolongation during all states of consciousness and activation of the genioglossus muscle during wakefulness and NREM sleep but not during REM sleep.

Influence of sleep on tensor palatini EMG and upper airway resistance in normal men

1991 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 2574-2581 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Tangel ◽  
W. S. Mezzanotte ◽  
D. P. White
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Airway Resistance ◽  
Sleep Stage ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Sleep Stages ◽  
Normal Male ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement Sleep ◽  
Airway Narrowing ◽  
Upper Airway Resistance

We propose that a sleep-induced decrement in the activity of the tensor palatini (TP) muscle could induce airway narrowing in the area posterior to the soft palate and therefore lead to an increase in upper airway resistance in normal subjects. We investigated the TP to determine the influence of sleep on TP muscle activity and the relationship between changing TP activity and upper airway resistance over the entire night and during short sleep-awake transitions. Seven normal male subjects were studied on a single night with wire electrodes placed in both TP muscles. Sleep stage, inspiratory airflow, transpalatal pressure, and TP moving time average electromyogram (EMG) were continuously recorded. In addition, in two of the seven subjects the activity (EMG) of both the TP and the genioglossus muscle simultaneously was recorded throughout the night. Upper airway resistance increased progressively from wakefulness through the various non-rapid-eye-movement sleep stages, as has been previously described. The TP EMG did not commonly demonstrate phasic activity during wakefulness or sleep. However, the tonic EMG decreased progressively and significantly (P less than 0.05) from wakefulness through the non-rapid-eye-movement sleep stages [awake, 4.6 +/- 0.3 (SE) arbitrary units; stage 1, 2.6 +/- 0.3; stage 2, 1.7 +/- 0.5; stage 3/4, 1.5 +/- 0.8]. The mean correlation coefficient between TP EMG and upper airway resistance across all sleep states was (-0.46). This mean correlation improved over discrete sleep-awake transitions (-0.76). No sleep-induced decrement in the genioglossus activity was observed in the two subjects studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence of sleep on alae nasi EMG and nasal resistance in normal men

1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 626-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Wheatley ◽  
D. J. Tangel ◽  
W. S. Mezzanotte ◽  
D. P. White
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Nasal Airway ◽  
Nasal Resistance ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Dilator Muscle ◽  
Stage 2 Sleep ◽  
Normal Men

The influence of sleep on the upper airway musculature varies considerably, with some muscles maintaining their activity at waking levels and others falling substantially. The influence of sleep on the alae nasi (AN), a dilator muscle of the nasal airway, has been minimally studied to date. Thus we determined the effect of non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep on the AN electromyogram and its relationship to nasal resistance (Rn) in nine normal supine males. Phasic inspiratory AN activity decreased from 20 +/- 6 arbitrary units during wakefulness to 5 +/- 1 arbitrary units (P < 0.001) at the onset of stage 2 NREM sleep and remained unchanged for two subsequent hours of NREM sleep. However, the Rn at the onset of NREM sleep remained similar to awake values (5.7 +/- 0.9 cmH2O.l-1 x s) and increased only after 1 h of NREM sleep (8.6 +/- 1.7 cmH2O.l-1 x s, P < 0.05), thus demonstrating little relationship to AN activity. We conclude that Rn increases slightly after 1 h of sleep, whereas AN activity decreases at stage 2 sleep onset. Thus AN activity has little influence on Rn during sleep.

Upper airway closing pressures in obstructive sleep apnea

1984 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 520-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. Issa ◽  
C. E. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Obstructive Sleep

We studied 18 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Each subject slept while breathing through the nose with a specially designed valveless breathing circuit. Low levels of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) applied through the nose (2.5–15.0 cmH2O) prevented OSA and allowed long periods of stable stage III/IV sleep and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. Externally applied complete nasal occlusion while the upper airway was patent resulted in upper airway closure during inspiration which was identified by a sudden deviation of nasal pressure from tracheal or esophageal pressure. The level of upper airway closing pressure (UACP) did not change throughout the occlusion test, suggesting that upper airway dilator muscles do not respond to asphyxia during sleep. The upper airway was more collapsible during stage I/II non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) and REM sleep compared with stage III/IV NREM sleep. The pooled mean UACP was 3.1 +/- 0.4 cmH2O in stage I/II NREM, 4.2 +/- 0.2 cmH2O in stage III/IV NREM, and 2.4 +/- 0.2 cmH2O in REM sleep. Nasal occlusion at successively higher levels of CPAP did not alter the level of UACP in stage I/II NREM and REM sleep but resulted in the upper airway becoming more stable in stage III/IV NREM sleep, suggesting a reflex which augments the tone of upper airway dilator muscles.

Sleep and the ventilatory response to resistive loading in normal men

1988 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 1186-1195 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wiegand ◽  
C. W. Zwillich ◽  
D. P. White
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
Airway Resistance ◽  
Ventilatory Response ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Resistive Load ◽  
Load Compensation ◽  
Resistive Loading ◽  
Resistive Loads ◽  
Normal Men

Since upper airway resistance is known to increase during sleep, inadequate resistive load compensation may contribute to the normal decline in sleeping ventilation. We determined the acute and sustained (4 min) ventilatory response to a range of external inspiratory resistive loads (4, 8, 12, and 25 cmH2O.l-1.s) during wakefulness and non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep in seven normal men. We found that minute ventilation (VI) was well maintained with acute and sustained resistive loading during wakefulness. Immediate adjustments in ventilatory timing (prolongation of inspiratory duration) provided full compensation for airflow reduction. In marked contrast, resistive load application during NREM sleep invariably produced a significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in VI with progressively larger resistive loads producing progressively greater ventilatory decrements. This decline in ventilation was a product of a falling inspiratory flow rate with inadequate prolongation of inspiratory duration (TI). The largest decrements in ventilation occurred immediately after load application followed by partial ventilatory recovery, which occurred over time in concert with rising PCO2 and augmented ventilatory effort (as reflected by P0.1 or mouth occlusion pressure). Similar observations were made during REM sleep, although the responses were less consistent and fewer data were obtained. These observations support the hypothesis that poor load compensation for increased upper airway resistance contributes to the hypoventilation characteristic of normal sleep.

Effects of high-frequency oscillating pressures on upper airway muscles in humans

1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 856-862 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. Henke ◽  
C. E. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
Eye Movement ◽  
Rem Sleep ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Nrem Sleep ◽  
Normal Subjects ◽  
Low Pressure ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Pressure Oscillations

We examined the effects of high-frequency- (30-Hz) low-pressure oscillations (< 1 cmH2O) applied to the upper airway, via a nose mask, on genioglossus (EMGgg), sternomastoid (EMGsm), and diaphragm electromyogram (EMGdia) activity in sleeping humans. Ten patients with sleep apnea and six normal subjects were studied. The pressure oscillations were applied through the mask for a single breath. The subjects were studied in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep. In the normal subjects, during NREM sleep, peak EMGgg, EMGsm, and EMGdia activity increased significantly in response to the oscillations in 63, 51, and 46%, respectively, of all trials. During REM sleep, significant increases occurred in 73, 88, and 13%, respectively, of all trials. Similar responses were observed in the patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Peak EMGgg, EMGsm, and EMGdia activity increased significantly in 74, 50, and 67%, respectively, of all NREM sleep trials and in 55, 81, and 76%, respectively, of all REM sleep trials. An important finding was that in 46% of the trials in the patients with sleep apnea the oscillation-induced increase in EMGgg activity was associated with a partial or complete reversal of the upper airway obstruction with an increase in tidal volume. This was observed in NREM and REM sleep. We conclude that there are upper airway receptors that respond to low-pressure-high-frequency oscillations applied to the upper airway that have input to the genioglossus and other muscles of respiration. These responses may be utilized in future treatment for sleep apnea.

Effect of sleep and sighing on upper airway resistance in mongrel dogs

1994 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 856-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. G. Issa ◽  
S. Porostocky ◽  
T. Feroah
Keyword(s):  
Eye Movement ◽  
Airway Resistance ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Pressure Profile ◽  
Rapid Eye Movement ◽  
Sleep State ◽  
Quiet Breathing ◽  
Upper Airway Resistance ◽  
Mongrel Dog

We investigated the effect of sleep and sighing on supratracheal resistance in unrestrained mongrel dogs breathing through the nose by comparing within-breath changes in upper airway pressure-flow relationship in control, sigh, and five postsigh breaths recorded during wakefulness and during non-rapid-eye-movement and rapid-eye-movement sleep. A sigh breath was characterized by a high tidal volume and was typically followed by an apnea of a variable duration. Sleep had little or no effect on supratracheal resistance, measured at peak flow rates, during quiet breathing (awake 7.3 +/- 0.4, non-rapid eye movement 8.3 +/- 0.4, and rapid eye movement 6.8 +/- 0.4 cmH2O.l–1.s). The resistance was identical in the early part of inspiration in control and sigh breaths but increased during the augmented phase of sigh breaths. Resistance at peak inspiratory flow was higher in sigh breaths than in control breaths in all sleep states. The flow-pressure profile of postsigh breaths was identical to that of control breaths in all sleep states. We conclude that upper airway resistance is essentially unaffected by sleep state in the mongrel dog and that sighing increases upper airway resistance regardless of sleep state.

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