ABSTRACT
An important challenge to the field today is to determine the neural bases for sleep-related changes in control of respiration. Animal models are essential in this endeavor and recent advances have been made in the studies of breathing disorders in marine mammals, preterm lambs, English bulldogs, and neonatal and mature rats. Our group has illustrated this strategy, by characterizing the respiratory instability and its neural mechanisms in the rat model of sleep apnea. In addition, our studies have indicated pharmacologic avenues for the treatment of central apneas in the rat, central/obstructive apneas in other animal species, and the potential management of human sleep apnea syndrome.
