Increased sympathetic responses induced by chronic obstructive sleep apnea are caused by sleep fragmentation
Caroline B. Ferreira, G.H.M. Schoorlemmer, Antonio A. Rocha, Sérgio L. Cravo
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea causes a hyperactive chemoreflex, with increased sympathetic activation. However, it is not clear whether this pathophysiologic mechanism is due to repeated hypoxia or to sleep disruption. The present study suggests that sleep fragmentation contributes importantly to increased sympathetic activation after chemoreceptor stimulation. This suggests that sleep fragmentation has an important role in the sympathetic activation seen in sleep apnea patients.
Topics & Concepts
Obstructive sleep apneaSleep apneaHypoxia (environmental)ApneaMedicineSleep (system call)ChemoreceptorIntermittent hypoxiaStimulationFragmentation (computing)AnesthesiaInternal medicineEndocrinologyBiologyChemistryOperating systemOxygenReceptorComputer scienceOrganic chemistryEcologyObstructive Sleep Apnea ResearchNeuroscience of respiration and sleepSleep and Wakefulness Research