Long-term Intermittent Hypoxia in Mice: Protracted Hypersomnolence with Oxidative Injury to Sleep-Wake Brain Regions

Abstract

Exposure to LTIH results in an array of significant oxidative injuries in sleep-wake regions of the brain, and these biochemical changes are associated with marked hypersomnolence and increased susceptibility to short-term sleep loss. The residual forebrain redox alterations in wake-promoting brain regions may contribute to persistent sleepiness in a prevalent disorder, obstructive sleep apnea.