title: Neuroendocrine changes in sleep apnea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review recent investigations examining the effects of neuroendocrine changes in obstructive sleep apnea.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gonadal hormones have long been implicated in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea. Recently, exogenous testosterone has been shown to exacerbate obstructive sleep apnea, whereas hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women may be protective in obstructive sleep apnea. Effective treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with nasal continuous positive airway pressure has been associated with improved insulin sensitivity and testicular function in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to consider the potential development of sleep apnea in any patient who has an endocrine disorder or is receiving certain hormonal therapies. Effective assessment and management of obstructive sleep apnea with nasal continuous positive airway pressure may lead to a reduction in insulin resistance and hypertension as well as other markers of vascular risk in patients with metabolic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. brendony@mail.med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Brendon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grunstein
mesh_terms: D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005260:Female; D042341:Gonadal Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D042341:Gonadal Hormones; D013739:Testosterone