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Ondansetron and fluoxetine reduce sleep apnea in mice lacking monoamine oxidase A

C Real1, I Seif, J Adrien

  • 1Univ Paris-Sud, EA 3544, Sérotonine et Neuropharmacologie, Châtenay-Malabry cedex, France. caroline.prenat@gmail.com

Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology
|July 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Both fluoxetine and ondansetron significantly reduced central sleep apnea episodes in mice with increased serotonin levels. This suggests potential therapeutic benefits for certain patients experiencing central sleep apneas.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Clinical trials suggest serotonin (5-HT) influences sleep apnea.
  • Fluoxetine shows benefit in obstructive apnea, while ondansetron's value is less clear.
  • Transgenic mice (Tg8) lacking monoamine oxidase A have elevated 5-HT and increased central sleep apnea.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of fluoxetine and ondansetron in a mouse model of central sleep apnea.
  • To determine if these drugs can mitigate sleep apnea associated with elevated serotonin levels.

Main Methods:

  • Tg8 mice (MAOA deficient) and wild-type (C3H) mice were used.
  • Acute and chronic administration of ondansetron and fluoxetine were tested.
  • Apnea index was measured during non-rapid eye movement sleep.

Main Results:

  • Both acute ondansetron and fluoxetine, as well as chronic fluoxetine, reduced the apnea index by ~80% in Tg8 mice.
  • No significant effect on apnea was observed in wild-type C3H mice.
  • The reduction in apnea was linked to elevated monoamine levels in the Tg8 model.

Conclusions:

  • Fluoxetine and ondansetron effectively reduce central sleep apnea frequency in a mouse model of MAOA deficiency.
  • These findings suggest that both drugs may be beneficial for treating central sleep apneas in specific patient populations.
  • The study highlights the role of serotonin in the pathophysiology of central sleep apnea.

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