The influence of obstructive sleep apnea and gender on genioglossus activity during rapid eye movement sleep

Abstract

Background: The mechanisms contributing to worsening of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep have been minimally studied. Reduced upper-airway muscle tone may be an important contributor. Because respiratory events and the associated blood gas changes can influence genioglossus (GG) activity, we compared GG activity between OSA patients and control subjects during REM sleep using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to minimize the influences of upper-airway resistance (RUA) and blood gas disturbances on GG activity. Methods: Twenty subjects (10 female subjects), 12 healthy individuals, and 8 OSA patients, were studied overnight. Sleep staging, epiglottic..