This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.The purpose of this study is to determine whether a long-term apnea/hypopnea event-related peripheral neuropathy influences the pharyngeal dilator muscle response to mechanical stimulation as well as pharyngeal muscle fatigability. We will assess whether one night of apnea/hypopnea events decreases this muscle responsiveness to mechanical stimulation, and whether CPAP treatment improves this responsiveness and decreases the muscle fatigability in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)patients. In this study, we will compare the responsiveness of upper airway dilator muscles to negative pressure stimulation before and after one night of sleep as well as muscle fatigability in the morning both in untreated and OSA patients and in normal control subjects. Patients will then be treated with CPAP, and we will then re-measure the muscle reponse to negative pressure stimulation before and after one night of sleep with CPAP and muscle fatigability in the morning after CPAP treatment for several months. 60 subjects (30 normal subjects and 30 untraeted obstructive sleep apnea patients) will be studied.
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