Sleep apnea affects nearly 40 million adults in the U.S., with many relying on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines to help them breathe while they sleep.
However, these machines can be uncomfortable and difficult to use, causing many people to stop using them.
Sleep apnea is more than just a breathing issue—it’s often linked to high blood pressure, or hypertension, because the brain works harder to regulate breathing and blood flow during sleep.
A recent study from the University of Missouri has revealed how sleep apnea affects the brain and leads to high blood pressure.
This discovery could lead to new treatments for hypertension in people with sleep apnea.
The research was conducted by David Kline, a professor at Mizzou’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and his team at the Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center.
“When oxygen levels drop during sleep apnea, the forebrain sends warning signals to the brainstem, which controls the heart and lungs,” said Kline.
“We found that two neurochemicals, oxytocin and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), make the brainstem overactive. Over time, this overactivity leads to high blood pressure.”
Hypertension increases the risk of stroke, metabolic issues, and other health problems. People with sleep apnea often suffer from poor sleep, cognitive and memory issues, and a higher risk of accidents due to drowsiness.
Kline’s team is the first to identify the role of oxytocin and CRH in overexciting the brain pathways involved in sleep apnea.
This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs that target these neurochemicals and bring blood pressure back to normal levels.
“Our goal is to help clinicians develop specific drugs to target these neurochemicals or the proteins they interact with, which can reduce high blood pressure,” Kline explained.
“This discovery opens the door to future research that could block the pathways these chemicals use, helping people with sleep apnea manage their blood pressure more effectively.”
Kline has spent nearly 20 years studying how the brain controls blood pressure and breathing at Mizzou.
He has secured over $10 million in research grants and published more than 40 studies in scientific journals. His work has helped Mizzou gain recognition as a top research university.
“I’ve always been fascinated by how the brain works with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems,” Kline said. “I’m lucky to have a great team of interdisciplinary collaborators here, and seeing them make scientific discoveries brings me a lot of joy.”
The study was led by Procopio Gama de Barcellos Filho, a postdoctoral researcher in Kline’s lab, who praised Kline’s leadership. “Dr. Kline is a great supervisor. He encourages us and values everyone’s input, which is something I’ll remember if I ever lead my own lab,” he said.
This new research offers hope for better treatment options for people with sleep apnea and high blood pressure, paving the way for future breakthroughs in medical science.
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Source: University of Missouri-Columbia.
