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Sympathetic and catecholaminergic alterations in sleep apnea with particular emphasis on children

Fahed Hakim1, David Gozal, Leila Kheirandish-Gozal

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Comer Children's Hospital, The University of Chicago Chicago, IL, USA.

Frontiers in Neurology
|February 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) disrupts sleep, leading to autonomic nervous system imbalance and altered catecholamine regulation. This review explores how OSA contributes to organ dysfunction through these mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Cardiovascular Science

Background:

  • Sleep disruption can cause organ dysfunction.
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common breathing disorder characterized by intermittent hypoxia, hypercapnia, thoracic pressure changes, and sleep fragmentation.
  • The sympathetic nervous system regulates major bodily systems, and its dysfunction can lead to metabolic imbalance and organ damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how OSA and its components affect the autonomic nervous system.
  • To explore the role of altered catecholamine regulation in OSA-induced morbidities.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Analysis of the physiological mechanisms linking OSA to autonomic dysfunction.
  • Examination of the role of catecholamines in OSA pathophysiology.

Main Results:

  • OSA perturbs the autonomic nervous system, impacting its regulatory functions.
  • Specific components of OSA contribute to sympathetic nervous system alterations.
  • Altered catecholamine regulation is a key factor in OSA-related health problems.

Conclusions:

  • OSA significantly impacts autonomic nervous system activity.
  • Understanding the interplay between OSA, the autonomic nervous system, and catecholamines is crucial for addressing OSA-related morbidities.
  • Targeting these mechanisms may offer therapeutic strategies for OSA patients.

Keywords:
autonomic nervous systemcatecholaminesobstructive sleep apneaparasympatheticsympatheticvagal

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