Millions of Americans deal with sleep deficits caused by sleep apnea, and many find themselves turning to one of the few available treatments: continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines. However, what if research into specific neurochemical targets in the brain could lead to less cumbersome therapies for sleep apnea?
A team at the University of Missouri-Columbia is focused on this exact question in their laboratory. They have identified specific brain chemicals in mice that link sleep apnea to one of its most unpleasant side effects: high blood pressure. David Kline, the study’s lead author and a researcher at the university’s Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, explained, “Our ultimate goal is to help physicians develop targeted medications aimed at these neurochemicals or the proteins they interact with in ways that can reduce hypertension.”
The study was spearheaded by postdoctoral researcher Procopio Gama de Barcellos Filho. It involved mice whose brains were put into a low-oxygen state, mimicking the experience of humans when they periodically stop breathing due to sleep apnea. While investigating the neurochemistry of these rodents, Filho and Kline observed key changes during this "hypoxic" state.
When the oxygen levels in the blood drop during sleep apnea, the prosencephalon sends warning signals to the brain stem, which controls cardiovascular and respiratory functions. Kline elaborated that their research uncovered how two neurochemicals, oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), cause the brain stem to become hyperactive.
Such long-term hyperactivity can lead to hypertension, presenting various health risks, including stroke. Kline noted that individuals with sleep apnea not only frequently experience high blood pressure but also suffer from significant sleep loss, cognitive impairment, and an increased risk of work-related injuries due to drowsiness.
The findings were recently published in The Journal of Physiology. While this research is still in its early stages, experts point out that results from animal studies do not always translate to humans. Nevertheless, Kline remains optimistic. “This discovery opens the door for future investigations aimed at blocking the pathways utilized by these neurochemicals, ultimately helping to normalize blood pressure,” he said, highlighting his role as a professor at the university’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
For those seeking information about sleep apnea and its effects, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides comprehensive resources.
Source: University of Missouri-Columbia, press release, July 23, 2024.
Ernie Mundell, HealthDay Reporters ©The New York Times 2024
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