Obstructive sleep apnea: A wake-up call for better outcomes

The aim of this study was to establish a standardized protocol for sleep endoscopy to differentiate obstruction patterns in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Target-controlled infusion (TCI) of the sedative was combined with real-time monitoring of the depth of sedation using bispectral...

Here, we describe methods of optogenetic manipulation of particular types of neurons during monitoring of sleep/wakefulness states in mice, presenting our recent work on the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis as an...

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...

Sleep is an essential physiological process vital to maintaining overall well-being. The reticular activating system (RAS), a network of neurons in the brainstem, regulates wakefulness and sleep. While it may seem passive, sleep consists of distinct cycles, each with its unique characteristics and functions. Two key sleep phases are non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and  rapid eye movement (REM).
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:

We present a protocol used to discover an interactive effect between sleep and cortisol on memory consolidation, particularly for negative arousing images. Specifically, the experimental design utilizes eye tracking, salivary cortisol analysis, and behavioral memory testing – methods that can be used with both healthy and clinical...

Source: Kodani, S., et.al. Optogenetic Manipulation of Neural Circuits During Monitoring Sleep/wakefulness States in Mice. J. Vis. Exp. (2019)This video demonstrates the optogenetic manipulation of neural circuits involved in the sleep-to-wakefulness transition in mice. The procedure involves surgically implanting an optic fiber and electrodes into the brain and muscles to enable light stimulation and electrophysiological recording. By delivering light to activate light-sensitive cation...