How does spinal cord injury lead to obstructive sleep apnoea?

Spinal cord injury, particularly in the cervical region, often leads to breathing difficulties and a higher likelihood of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common type of SDB after SCI, where the airway becomes blocked during sleep. The increased risk of OSA after SCI may be due to a combination of factors, including nerve activity, changes in the upper airway, medications, and alterations in the respiratory control system.

• 1
  Individuals with SCI and OSA show impaired reflex activation of the genioglossus (GG) muscle, which helps keep the airway open.
• 2
  In SCI subjects who could activate the GG, the response was significantly delayed compared to controls.
• 3
  Some SCI subjects exhibited reflex inhibition of GG activity, a response not seen in the control group.