scholarly journals Sensorimotor function of the upper-airway muscles and respiratory sensory processing in untreated obstructive sleep apnea

2011 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 1644-1653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danny J. Eckert ◽  
Yu L. Lo ◽  
Julian P. Saboisky ◽  
Amy S. Jordan ◽  
David P. White ◽  
...  

Numerous studies have demonstrated upper-airway neuromuscular abnormalities during wakefulness in snorers and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. However, the functional role of sensorimotor impairment in OSA pathogenesis/disease progression and its potential effects on protective upper-airway reflexes, measures of respiratory sensory processing, and force characteristics remain unclear. This study aimed to gain physiological insight into the potential role of sensorimotor impairment in OSA pathogenesis/disease progression by comparing sensory processing properties (respiratory-related evoked potentials; RREP), functionally important protective reflexes (genioglossus and tensor palatini) across a range of negative pressures (brief pulses and entrained iron lung ventilation), and tongue force and time to task failure characteristics between 12 untreated OSA patients and 13 controls. We hypothesized that abnormalities in these measures would be present in OSA patients. Upper-airway reflexes (e.g., genioglossus onset latency, 20 ± 1 vs. 19 ± 2 ms, P = 0.82), early RREP components (e.g., P1 latency 25 ± 2 vs. 25 ± 1 ms, P = 0.78), and the slope of epiglottic pressure vs. genioglossus activity during iron lung ventilation (−0.68 ± 1.0 vs. −0.80 ± 2.0 cmH2O/%max, P = 0.59) were not different between patients and controls. Maximal tongue protrusion force was greater in OSA patients vs. controls (35 ± 2 vs. 27 ± 2 N, P < 0.01), but task failure occurred more rapidly (149 ± 24 vs. 254 ± 23 s, P < 0.01). Upper-airway protective reflexes across a range of negative pressures as measured by electromyography and the early P1 component of the RREP are preserved in OSA patients during wakefulness. Consistent with an adaptive training effect, tongue protrusion force is increased, not decreased, in untreated OSA patients. However, OSA patients may be vulnerable to fatigue of upper-airway dilator muscles, which could contribute to disease progression.

2004 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Lam ◽  
Clara G.C Ooi ◽  
Wilfred C.G Peh ◽  
I Lauder ◽  
Kenneth W.T Tsang ◽  
...  

1993 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 190-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinichi Okabe ◽  
Tatsuya Chonan ◽  
Wataru Hida ◽  
Makoto Satoh ◽  
Yoshihiro Kikuchi ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mak Adam Daulatzai

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by recurrent upper airway (UA) collapse during sleep, is associated with significant morbidity and disorders. Polysomnogram is employed in the evaluation of OSA and apnea-hypopnea number per hour reflects severity. For normal breathing, it is essential that the collapsible UA is patent. However, obstruction of the UA is quite common in adults and infants. Normally, important reflex mechanisms defend against the UA collapse. The muscle activity of UA dilators, including the genioglossus, tensor palatini (TP), and pharyngeal constrictors, is due to the integrated mechanism of afferent sensory input to motor function. Snoring is harsh breathing to prevent UA obstruction. Unfortunately, snoring vibrations, pharyngeal suction collapse, negative pressure, and hypoxia cause pathological perturbations including dysfunctional UA afferent sensory activity. The current paper posits that peripheral sensory stimulation paradigm, which has been shown to be efficacious in improving several neurological conditions, could be an important therapeutic strategy in OSA also.


Author(s):  
Gurvir Rai ◽  
Anokhee Thakker ◽  
Hasti Patel

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder in mammals which is characterized by the repeated collapse of the upper airway. It is a known cause of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and, in some cases, death. OSA is commonly treated by medical devices and surgeries. Although effective, these treatments are associated with unwanted side-effects and further complications. In recent years, the role of medicinal marijuana has grown as a potential treatment for sleep disorders. Further research must be conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of cannabis as a treatment for OSA.


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