| Authors | Wijesuriya, N. S. Gainche, L. Jordan, A.S. Berlowitz, D.J. LeGuen, M. Rochford, P.D. O'Donoghue, F.J. Ruehland, W.R. Carberry, J.C. Butler, J.E. Eckert, D.J. |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal Article (Original Research) |
| Journal | Journal of Physiology |
| PubMed ID | 29658103 |
| Year of Publication | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29658103 |
| DOI | /10.1113/jp275222 |
| Download |  Wijesuriya_et_al-2017-The_Journal_of_Physiology.pdf (770.8 KB) |
| Abstract | KEY POINTS: Protective reflexes in the throat area (upper airway) are crucial for breathing. Impairment of these reflexes can cause breathing problems during sleep such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). OSA is very common in people with spinal cord injury for unknown reasons. This study shows major changes in protective reflexes that serve to keep the upper airway open in response to suction pressures in people with tetraplegia and OSA. These results help us understand why OSA is so common in people with tetraplegia and provide new insight into how protective upper airway reflexes work more broadly. ABSTRACT: More than 60% of people with tetraplegia have obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). However, the specific causes are unknown. Genioglossus, the largest upper-airway dilator muscle, is important in maintaining upper-airway patency. Impaired genioglossus muscle function following spinal cord injury may contribute to OSA. This study aimed to determine if genioglossus reflex responses to negative upper-airway pressure are altered in people with OSA and tetraplegia compared to non-neurologically impaired able-bodied individuals with OSA. Genioglossus reflex responses measured via intramuscular electrodes to approximately 60 brief (250 ms) pulses of negative upper-airway pressure ( approximately -15 cmH2 O at the mask) were compared between 13 participants (2 females) with tetraplegia plus OSA and 9 able-bodied controls (2 females) matched for age and OSA severity. The initial short-latency excitatory reflex response was absent in 6/13 people with tetraplegia and 1/9 controls. Genioglossus reflex inhibition in the absence of excitation was observed in three people with tetraplegia and none of the controls. When the excitatory response was present, it was significantly delayed in the tetraplegia group compared to able-bodied controls: excitation onset latency (mean +/- SD) was 32 +/- 16 vs. 18 +/- 9 ms, P = 0.045; peak excitation latency was 48 +/- 17 vs. 33 +/- 8 ms, P = 0.038. However, when present, amplitude of the excitation response was not different between groups, 195 +/- 26 vs. 219 +/- 98% at baseline, P = 0.55. There are major differences in genioglossus reflex morphology and timing in response to rapid changes in airway pressure in people with tetraplegia and OSA. Altered genioglossus function may contribute to the increased risk of OSA in people with tetraplegia. The precise mechanisms mediating these differences are unknown. |
http://www.ibas.org.au/what-we-do/publications/3872954
Motor neurone disease (MND) causes the body's muscles to weaken. Breathing muscle weakness means that most people affected by MND will eventually lose the ability to take a deep breath and cough strongly....
RESPIRATORY BIOMARKERS IN MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
The inability to breathe is unfortunately the most common cause of death in people living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Last year, our clinical research group in Melbourne reported that breathing...
Kudos to Dr. Lauren Booker & Dr. Jen Cori on their JOEM publication examining fatigue detection alarms in rural truck drivers. Their study explores the alarms' effectiveness, accuracy, and habituation, offering key insights into fatigue management.
HONORING EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH
Congratulations to Prof. Anne Holland and A/Prof. Narelle Cox for being featured in the NHMRC's 10 of the Best - 16th Edition. Their work exemplifies groundbreaking research delivering extraordinary outcomes.
WORLD SLEEP DAY ON 14TH MARCH 2025
The benefits of quality sleep and to acknowledge the issue of sleep problems and their medical, educational, and social aspects as well as the prevention and management of sleep disorders, is promoted on World Sleep Day on the 14th March 2025.
Grants Success: The Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS) has received two research grants from the Austin Medical Research Foundation (AMRF) for 2025. Congratulations to Dr Charissa Zaga and Dr Catherine Hill from IBAS.
© 2025 Institute for Breathing and Sleep. All Rights Reserved. ABN 39 093 685 879
Powered by Helmut Design | Manage
