Hypoglossal nerve stimulation in a pre-clinical anesthetized rabbit model relevant to OSA

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2018 Apr:250:31-38. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2018.01.015. Epub 2018 Feb 2.

Abstract

We tested the functional effects of hypoglossal (CNXII) stimulation in the anesthetized rabbit before and after injections of saline into the tongue base to obstruct the airway. Data (n = 6) show little or no effect of CN XII trunk stimulation; however, medial branch stimulation (20-100 Hz; 50-500 μs pulse width, and incremental increases from 10 μA) reduced upper airway resistance. Medial branch stimulation was less effective in reducing resistance than anterior advancement of the hyoid. Endoscopic viewing (n-3) of the retropalate showed this region as the narrowest and dynamically changed by anterior hyoid displacement, with less evident effects than CNXII stimulation. We conclude that under these conditions CNXII medial branch stimulation reduces airway resistance, especially after induced obstruction.

Keywords: Hypoglossal nerve stimulation; Obstructive sleep apnea; Rabbit; Upper airway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Airway Resistance / physiology*
  • Anesthesia*
  • Animals
  • Biophysics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electric Stimulation / methods*
  • Electromyography
  • Endoscopes
  • Hyoid Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Hyoid Bone / physiology
  • Hypoglossal Nerve / anatomy & histology
  • Hypoglossal Nerve / physiology*
  • Larynx / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Rabbits
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / etiology*
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / pathology
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / therapy*
  • Tongue / drug effects
  • Tongue / innervation