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Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Delivery of In Vivo Acute Intermittent Hypoxia in Neonatal Rodents to Prime Subventricular Zone-derived Neural Progenitor Cell Cultures
Published on: November 2, 2015
Invited review: Physiological and pathophysiological responses to intermittent hypoxia
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903-0019, USA. neubaeur@umdnj.edu
Intermittent hypoxia causes beneficial adaptations and detrimental long-term effects, impacting respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic systems. Understanding these physiological responses is crucial for conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Intermittent hypoxia (IH) mimics conditions seen in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
- IH can trigger physiological adaptations similar to continuous chronic hypoxia.
- These adaptations may offer protective benefits or lead to detrimental health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review physiological adaptations and pathophysiological consequences of IH.
- To emphasize the role of IH in obstructive sleep apnea pathophysiology.
- To identify knowledge gaps in linking cellular responses to physiological outcomes of IH.
Main Methods:
- Mini-review of existing literature on intermittent, acute, and chronic hypoxia.
- Extrapolation of findings from related hypoxia studies.
- Analysis of data linking genomic and cellular responses to physiological effects.
Main Results:
- IH induces respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic adaptations.
- Potential benefits include disease protection and improved athletic performance.
- Long-term IH can lead to hypertension, vascular issues, neurocognitive deficits, and neurodegeneration.
Conclusions:
- IH presents a dual effect: potential benefits and significant long-term risks.
- Further research is needed to bridge the gap between molecular and physiological responses to IH.
- Understanding IH is critical for managing conditions like OSA and its associated health risks.
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