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Researchers look to the brain to explain gender differences in sleep apnea
April 04, 2006The neural pathways between two areas of the brain that control the tongue - and their interactions with each other - may hold the key as to why men suffer sleep apnea much more than women.
A University of Wisconsin research team has theorized that either the caudal raphe or the hypoglossal nucleus - or both together - play roles in sleep apnea. The researchers have turned their attention to these two areas of the brain because of the roles they play in controlling the tongue. Diminished tongue control is a major cause of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition which strikes men much more frequently than pre-menopausal women, said lead researcher Jessica R. Barker.
*Paper presentation: "Sexual dimorphism in serotonergic input to the hypoglossal nucleus," by Jessica R. Barker and Mary Behan of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, will be presented 12:45 p.m.-3 p.m. Monday April 3, Control of Breathing: Central Connectivity and Neurotransmission, 479.8 /board # C566 in the Convention Center Exhibit Hall. Poster is on view 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, produces loud snoring and may interfere with the sleep of other family members. It leaves sufferers drowsy during the day and places them at greater risk of getting into an automobile accident and of developing serious illnesses such as hypertension and heart disease.
Estrogen, serotonin play roles
Previous research from Behan's lab has found evidence that estrogen plays a role in respiratory control and may provide protection against hypoxia. Other research shows that post-menopausal women on hormone replacement therapy suffer less from sleep apnea than post-menopausal women not on hormones, further strengthening the theory that estrogen plays a protective role.
The unique theory could explain why men and post-menopausal women not on hormone therapy are much more likely to suffer from the condition than pre-menopausal women, Barker said.
Estrogen is associated with serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps control the tongue. In obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue relaxes too much during sleep and blocks the upper airway, causing the individual to temporarily stop breathing. The cycle repeats throughout the sleep period, creates periods of insufficient oxygen and disrupts sleep.
The purpose of the Barker study is to determine if the difference in estrogen levels between men and women plays a role in serotonin expression in the caudal raphe and hypoglossal nucleus - leading to a difference in tongue control.
The researchers hypothesized that females would have greater numbers of serotonin-activated neurons running between the hypoglossal nucleus and the tongue. They first looked at the caudal raphe because that is where serotonin - which plays a role in preventing the tongue from relaxing and blocking the airway - is manufactured.
Targets: serotonin, hypoglossal nucleus, caudal raphe,
The researchers used six young male rats and six females. They injected the rats' tongues under anesthesia with a tracer, Bartha pseudorabies virus (PRV). They examined the pathway of the virus into the brain and were able to "see" the path of the PRV and the serotonin-activated neurons projecting from the caudal raphe to the tongue.
They looked at the number and distribution of neurons activated by serotonin in the caudal raphe, expecting there would be differences between males and females. Instead, they found male and female rats have the same number of serotonin producing neurons in this area of the brain.
The study suggests the caudal raphe does not play a role - at least by itself - in obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers will next look at the neurons producing serotonin that run from the hypoglossal nucleus to the tongue, explained Barker.
Also in the future: a look at the interactions among the caudal raphe, the hypoglossal nucleus and the tongue. The key may be in how these structures interact, she said.
If this line of research eventually pans out, it may be possible to adjust hormone levels to relieve the sleep apnea and avoid the resultant health problems, Barker said.
American Physiological Society
Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans, produces loud snoring and may interfere with the sleep of other family members. It leaves sufferers drowsy during the day and places them at greater risk of getting into an automobile accident and of developing serious illnesses such as hypertension and heart disease.
Estrogen, serotonin play roles
Previous research from Behan's lab has found evidence that estrogen plays a role in respiratory control and may provide protection against hypoxia. Other research shows that post-menopausal women on hormone replacement therapy suffer less from sleep apnea than post-menopausal women not on hormones, further strengthening the theory that estrogen plays a protective role.
The unique theory could explain why men and post-menopausal women not on hormone therapy are much more likely to suffer from the condition than pre-menopausal women, Barker said.
Estrogen is associated with serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps control the tongue. In obstructive sleep apnea, the tongue relaxes too much during sleep and blocks the upper airway, causing the individual to temporarily stop breathing. The cycle repeats throughout the sleep period, creates periods of insufficient oxygen and disrupts sleep.
The purpose of the Barker study is to determine if the difference in estrogen levels between men and women plays a role in serotonin expression in the caudal raphe and hypoglossal nucleus - leading to a difference in tongue control.
The researchers hypothesized that females would have greater numbers of serotonin-activated neurons running between the hypoglossal nucleus and the tongue. They first looked at the caudal raphe because that is where serotonin - which plays a role in preventing the tongue from relaxing and blocking the airway - is manufactured.
Targets: serotonin, hypoglossal nucleus, caudal raphe,
The researchers used six young male rats and six females. They injected the rats' tongues under anesthesia with a tracer, Bartha pseudorabies virus (PRV). They examined the pathway of the virus into the brain and were able to "see" the path of the PRV and the serotonin-activated neurons projecting from the caudal raphe to the tongue.
They looked at the number and distribution of neurons activated by serotonin in the caudal raphe, expecting there would be differences between males and females. Instead, they found male and female rats have the same number of serotonin producing neurons in this area of the brain.
The study suggests the caudal raphe does not play a role - at least by itself - in obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers will next look at the neurons producing serotonin that run from the hypoglossal nucleus to the tongue, explained Barker.
Also in the future: a look at the interactions among the caudal raphe, the hypoglossal nucleus and the tongue. The key may be in how these structures interact, she said.
If this line of research eventually pans out, it may be possible to adjust hormone levels to relieve the sleep apnea and avoid the resultant health problems, Barker said.
American Physiological Society
Sleep Apnea Current Events and Sleep Apnea News RSSEye conditions linked with obstructive sleep apnea
If a good night's sleep helps the brain and body perform better, it's a good guess that sleep problems can cause more than just fatigue. Numerous studies have shown a connection between sleep disorders and medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and metabolic disorders, including the risk of obesity and diabetes mellitus. In the November issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings, Mayo Clinic researchers outline several interesting associations between sleep disorders and eye disease.
Sleep Apnea May Be Risk Factor for Sudden Cardiac Death, Mayo Clinic Research Concludes
After studying the sleep characteristics of nearly 11,000 adults in an overnight sleep laboratory, Mayo Clinic researchers suggest that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) - and, in particular, the low nighttime oxygen saturation of the blood it causes - may be a risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD).
Smokers see decline in ability to smell, rise in laryngitis, and upper airway issues
As Americans prepare for a day without cigarettes and tobacco products as part of the American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout (R) (November 20), new research gives them more reasons to extend that break to a lifetime.
New drug target in obesity: Fat cells make lots of melanin
As millions of Americans gear up for the Thanksgiving holiday, a new research report published online in The FASEB Journal, may provide some relief for those leery of having a second helping.
Green neighborhoods may reduce childhood obesity
Childhood obesity can lead to type 2 diabetes, asthma, hypertension, sleep apnea and emotional distress. Obese children and youth are likely to be obese as adults, experience more cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and stroke and incur higher healthcare costs.
Neighborhood greenness has long term positive impact on kids' health
In the first study to look at the effect of neighborhood greenness on inner city children's weight over time, researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the University of Washington report that higher neighborhood greenness is associated with slower increases in children's body mass over a two year period, regardless of residential density.
Even mild sleep apnea increases cardiovascular risk
People with even minimally symptomatic obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease because of impaired endothelial function and increased arterial stiffness, according to a study from the Oxford Centre for Respiratory Medicine in the UK.
Association found between severe obstructive sleep apnea
A study in the October 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that unrelated to obesity, people with severe SDBs consume a more unhealthy diet, which may be a factor contributing to greater cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. These findings were most evident among women.
New light on link between snoring and cognitive deficits in children
About two-thirds of children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB)- snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)- have some degree of cognitive deficit, but the severity of the cognitive deficit has been notoriously difficult to correlate to the severity of the SDB.
Scientists discover why a mother's high-fat diet contributes to obesity in her children
New research published online in The FASEB Journal suggests that pregnant women should think twice about high-fat foods.
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