Primary sleep apnoea syndrome. Issue 11 (November 1981)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chokroverty, S; Sharp, J T
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 44:Issue 11(1981)
• Page Start: 970
• Page End: 982
• Publication Date: 1981-11
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.44.11.970
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Polygraphic study in 18 men with the sleep apnoea syndrome showed central, upper airway obstructive, and mixed apnoeas. Fifty per cent of the total apnoea time was central, 33% was obstructive, and 17% was mixed. Apnoeic episodes were accompanied by oxygen desaturation, relative bradycardia and hypotonia of orofacial muscles innervated by ponto-medullary neurons. During regular breathing these muscles revealed tonic and phasic inspiratory EMG activities. The data suggest that the primary sleep apnoea syndrome results from a dysfunction of the central control of breathing.