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Crossing the apnoeic threshold: causes and consequences
Author(s) -
Dempsey Jerome A.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
experimental physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1469-445X
pISSN - 0958-0670
DOI - 10.1113/expphysiol.2004.028985
Subject(s) - medicine
This brief review addresses the characteristics, lability and the mechanisms underlying the hypocapnic‐induced apnoeic threshold which is unmasked during NREM sleep. The role of carotid chemoreceptors as fast, sensitive detectors of dynamic changes in CO 2 is emphasized and placed in historical context of the long‐held debate over central vs . peripheral contributions to CO 2 sensing and to apnoea. Finally, evidence is presented which points to a significant role for unstable, central respiratory motor output as a significant contributor to upper airway narrowing and obstruction during sleep.