This proposal aims to determine the mechanisms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with chronic cervical spine injury, a devastating condition with very high frequency of sleep-disordered breathing. Our preliminary data demonstrated that two thirds of patients with cervical SCI demonstrated a central sleep- disordered breathing, manifesting as central sleep apnea (CSA) or periodic breathing pattern during sleep with high propensity to develop central sleep apnea (CSA), despite normal breathing during wakefulness. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of central sleep apnea (CSA) is critically important to understanding upper airway obstruction in susceptible individuals. Our central hypothesis is that cervical SCI promotes central SDB via sleep-related hypoventilation, and hence increased plant gain, resulting in recurrent apnea/hypopnea, chronic intermittent hypoxia, and subsequent sensory long-term facilitation (LTF), manifesting by increased peripheral chemoresponsiveness and enhanced LTF following acute intermittent hypoxia. We will demonstrate that dampening peripheral chemoresponsiveness with hyperoxia, and plant gain with acetazolamide, will alleviate central apnea in these patients and may pave the way for effective treatment. Therefore, we will test the following Specific Aims: First, to determine the effect of cervical SCI on peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity. We propose to measure central and peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity tests during NREM sleep in cervical and thoracic SCI patients. We will also test the effect of dampening peripheral chemoreceptor activity in patients with cervical SCI and central apnea with hyperoxia on CSA propensity. Second, to determine the effect of acute episodic hypoxia (EH) on chemoreflex sensitivity and ventilatory long- term facilitation in patients with cervical SCI. We will test the development of ventilatory LTF following cute episodic hypoxia.
Specific Aim 3 is to determine the effect of decreasing plant gain with acetazolamide on central SDB in SCI patients with central apnea or narrow CO2 reserve. We propose to compare the effect of acetazolamide vs. placebo on central apnea propensity. This work is very significant, addressing critical need for patients who suffer from disparity in access to care. This work is also innovative, identifying a new mechanism of breathing instability in this vulnerable population. innovative; we anticipate that it will yield significant new knowledge that improves the health and quality of life of these patients.

Public Health Relevance

Patients with spinal cord injury suffer from a multitude of sleep disorders, including sleep- disordered breathing. Unfortunately, the underlying mechanisms of sleep-disordered breathing in patients with chronic spinal cord injury, especially cervical spine injury have not received sufficient attention and investigation. Our proposed studies will be the first comprehensive, mechanistic investigation of sleep and breathing in a large number of patients, spanning two different health systems. Our study will focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms of sleep-disordered breathing, especially central apnea. Our study will have significant impact on the identification, diagnosis and management of sleep disorders in this population. It is likely to inform future therapeutic interventions that will improve the health an quality of life of spinal cord-injured veterans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Type
Non-HHS Research Projects (I01)
Project #
5I01CX001040-03
Application #
8967213
Study Section
Neurobiology B (NURB)
Project Start
2014-04-01
Project End
2018-03-31
Budget Start
2016-04-01
Budget End
2017-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
John D Dingell VA Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
002643443
City
Detroit
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48201
Sankari, Abdulghani; Martin, Jennifer L; Badr, M Safwan (2017) Sleep Disordered Breathing and Spinal Cord Injury: Challenges and Opportunities. Curr Sleep Med Rep 3:272-278
Alchakaki, Abdulrazak; Riehani, Anas; Shikh-Hamdon, Mulham et al. (2016) Expiratory Snoring Predicts Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Patients with Sleep-disordered Breathing. Ann Am Thorac Soc 13:86-92
Shafazand, Shirin; Badr, M Safwan (2016) Adaptive Servo-Ventilation and Central Apnea Associated with Systolic Heart Failure. J Clin Sleep Med 12:147-50
Sankari, Abdulghani; Badr, M Safwan (2016) Diagnosis of Sleep Disordered Breathing in Patients With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 97:176-7
Bascom, Amy T; Sankari, Abdulghani; Badr, M Safwan (2016) Spinal cord injury is associated with enhanced peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity. Physiol Rep 4:
Sankari, Abdulghani; Pranathiageswaran, Sukanya; Maresh, Scott et al. (2016) Characteristics and Consequences of Non-apneic Respiratory Events during Sleep. Sleep :
Sankari, A; Martin, J L; Badr, M (2015) A retrospective review of sleep-disordered breathing, hypertenstion and cardiovascular diseases in spinal cord injury patients. Spinal Cord 53:496-7
Chowdhuri, Susmita; Pranathiageswaran, Sukanya; Franco-Elizondo, Rene et al. (2015) Effect of age on long-term facilitation and chemosensitivity during NREM sleep. J Appl Physiol (1985) 119:1088-96
Sankari, Abdulghani; Bascom, Amy T; Riehani, Anas et al. (2015) Tetraplegia is associated with enhanced peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity and ventilatory long-term facilitation. J Appl Physiol (1985) 119:1183-93
El-Chami, Mohamad; Shaheen, David; Ivers, Blake et al. (2015) Time of day affects the frequency and duration of breathing events and the critical closing pressure during NREM sleep in participants with sleep apnea. J Appl Physiol (1985) 119:617-26

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