Neurological aspects of obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea is often regarded as a structural disorder causing narrowing of the airway. This article reviews the neurological aspects of obstructive sleep apnea, including the upper airway reflex, cortical arousal thresholds, and motor function as they pertain to the pathophysiology of disease. We also discuss the relationship of obstructive sleep apnea to other neurological diseases.
Broderick
Meredith
M
Stanford University Sleep Medicine Program, Stanford, California 94305, USA. meredithbroderick@gmail.com
Guilleminault
Christian
C
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology*