Respiratory and Autonomic Plasticity Following Intermittent Hypoxia

Summary

The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea is high in the Veteran population. If not treated promptly, sleep apnea may result in daytime fatigue which may lead to increased prevalence of accidents while driving or in the workplace. Recent large scale epidemiological studies have shown that the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness increases in individuals who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea may also result in the development of hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. Previous findings have shown that subjects with sleep apnea have a greater risk for developing coronary vascular disease compared to individuals that do not suffer from sleep apnea Thus, a significant amount of evidence suggests that sleep apnea is a major health concern in the Veteran population. Consequently, determining the mechanisms that may impact on the severity of sleep apnea and increase the prevalence of cardiovascular incidents associated with this disorder is important, as is discovering novel treatments.

Timeline

Start

2009-09

Primary completion

2013-09

Completion

2013-09

Publications

• Results Mateika JH, Syed Z. Intermittent hypoxia, respiratory plasticity and sleep apnea in humans: present knowledge and future investigations. Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2013 Sep 15;188(3):289-300. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2013.04.010. Epub 2013 Apr 12.
• Results Syed Z, Lin HS, Mateika JH. The impact of arousal state, sex, and sleep apnea on the magnitude of progressive augmentation and ventilatory long-term facilitation. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2013 Jan 1;114(1):52-65. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00985.2012. Epub 2012 Nov 8.

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