• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2004

Sleep is associated with definite changes in respiratory function in normal human beings. During sleep, there is loss of voluntary control of breathing and a decrease in the usual ventilatory response to both low oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels. Especially, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is a distinct neurophysiological state associated with significant changes in breathing pattern and ventilatory control as compared with both wakefulness and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. REM sleep is characterized by erratic, shallow breathing with irregularities both in amplitude and frequency owing to marked reduction in intercostal and upper airway muscle activity. These blunted ventilatory responses during sleep are clinically important. They permit marked hypoxemia that occurs during REM sleep in patients with lung or chest wall disease. In addition, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is more frequent and longer and hypoventilation is more pronounced during REM sleep. Although apneic episodes are most frequent and severe during REM sleep, most adults spend less than 20 to 25% of total sleep time in REM sleep. It is, therefore, possible for patients to have frequent apneas and hypopneas during REM sleep and still have a normal apnea-hypopnea index if the event-rich REM periods are diluted by event-poor periods of NREM sleep. In this review, we address respiratory physiology according to sleep stage, and the clinical implications of SDB and hypoventilation aggravated during REM sleep.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.180-187
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• 2016

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate the differences of clinical and polysomnographic features between rapid eye movement (REM)-related obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and not-REM-related OSA, and to suggest the pathogenesis according to the REM dependency of OSA. Methods: One hundred ninety consecutive patients diagnosed with OSA were evaluated clinical features and performed full night polysomnography. The patients were divided into REM-related (REM apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] at least two times higher than their non-REM AHI) and not-REM-related (a REM AHI less than two times higher than their non-REM AHI) OSA groups and evaluated the differences in age, body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, Ep-worth Sleepiness Scale score, and parameters of polysomnography. Results: REM-related patients were younger and showed higher sleep efficacy, low percentage of light sleep stage (stage 1 sleep), and low rate of positional OSA. Age was significantly associated with REM dependency of OSA and REM AHI were significant correlated with BMI, neck circumference, percentage of sleep in supine position, and percentage time of snoring. Conclusions: Our results showed that REM-related OSA patients showed less severe polysomnographic parameters than not-REM-related patients. However, significant risk factors were differed depending on the REM dependency and OSA severity, and the clinical features correlated with REM AHI and non-REM AHI were also showed differently. We suggest that the occurrence of OSA according to the REM dependency can be based on different mechanisms.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2008

Objectives: A few studies have compared REM sleep-dependent obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (REM-OSA) with sleep stage non-dependent apnea syndrome (SND-OSA). Despite that REM-OSA might be more common in women than men, no studies have examined the probable characteristics of women patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This study aimed at finding out the characteristics of REM-OSA in women by comparing it with SND-OSA. Methods: Fifty-three subjects diagnosed as OSAS (AHI>5 ; AHI : apnea-hypopnea index) with nocturnal polysomnography at the Center for Sleep and Chronobiology of the Seoul National University Hospital between October 2004 and February 2006 were studied. Of them, 44 subjects with OSAS severity of mild (52 and AHI-NR<15 (AHI-R : AHI during REM sleep, AHI-NR : AHI during non-REM sleep). We compared REM-OSA group with SND-OSA as well as the criteria-determined REM-OSA cases with the visually-determined ones. Results: Among 44 subjects, 28 persons (63.6%) turned out to have REM-OSA by our criteria and 24 persons (54.5%) by visual determination. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were found between REM-OSA and SND-OSA groups in AHI, hypopnea index, total sleep time, total wake time, sleep efficiency index, percents of stage 1, 2 and REM sleep, and REM latency. Percent of stage REM sleep (%REM) turned out to have influence on AHI ratio (AHI-R/AHI-NR) (B=0.537, p=0.002). REM-OSA was likely to be diagnosed in milder severity of OSAS (${\chi}^2=13.117$, p<0.001) and those with higher %REM (${\chi}^2=11.325$, p=0.001). There was no significant difference between the criteria-determined and the visually-determined cases of REM-OSA. Conclusion: We suggest that REM-OSA and SND-OSA patients be differentiated in terms of pathophysiology and treatment strategies. Visual determination of REM-OSA might be useful as the screening procedure of REM-OSA. Further studies on women with OSAS and REM-OSA need to be done.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.54-60
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• 2016

Purpose: Mandibular advancement devices (MAD) are used effectively and widely for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and rapid-eye-movement (REM) dependency of the patients can affect the treatment outcome of OSA. The aim of this study was to compare treatment outcomes of MAD between REM-related and not-REM-related OSA patients. Methods: Fifty-six consecutive patients with OSA who received MAD therapy were evaluated using full night polysomnography before and after insertion of the MADs. The patients were divided into REM-related (REM apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] at least two times higher than their non-REM AHI) and not-REM-related (REM AHI less than two times higher than their non-REM AHI) OSA groups. Results: MAD is used for the treatment of OSA effectively. In respect of AHI, MAD therapy were effective both in REM-related OSA and not-REM-related OSA, but MAD therapy was more effective in not-REM-related OSA than REM-related OSA in overall sleep and non-REM sleep. $SpO_2$ saturations were improved after MAD therapy, but were not different between two groups. Epworth sleepiness scale scores were not improved after MAD therapy. Percentage of REM sleep was increased after MAD therapy but was not different between two groups. Conclusions: MAD therapy was more effective in not-REM-related OSA than REM-related OSA and REM dependency can be a predictive factor of treatment outcome of oral appliance for OSA patients.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2006

Alcohol has extensive effects on sleep and daytime sleepiness. Alcohol has a sleep inducing effect and the effect of increased non-REM sleep and suppressed REM sleep during the first half portion of night sleep, but alcohol induces the effect of decreased non-REM sleep and increased light sleep and frequent awakenings and REM rebound during the second half portion of night sleep. Alcohol provokes chronobiological change such as the changes of amplitude or the phase shifts of hormones or core body temperature. The sleep disruption resulting from alcohol drinking may lead to daytime fatigue and sleepiness. The elderly are at particular in the increased risk of alcohol-related sleep disorders because they achieve higher levels of alcohol in the blood and brain than do younger adults after consuming an equivalent dose. Bedtime alcohol consumption among older adults may lead to unsteadiness if walking is attempted during the night, with increased risk of falls and injuries. Continued alcohol use for sleep induction often induces aggravation of insomnia, alcoholism or sleep related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Alcohol should not be used as substitution of sleep pill because of the dependence and tolerance for sleep inducing effect, and the sleep disruption produced by alcohol withdrawal.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2009

Longanae Arillus (the rind of fruits of Dimocarpus longan) has been consumed for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety in Asia. To provide further scientific basis to traditional uses of this fruit on insomnia, we evaluated the effects of methanol extract of Longanae Arillus (MELA) on the alteration of sleep architecture and electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectra in acutely and chronically restraint-stressed rats. Following postsurgical recovery, Polygraphic signs of sleep-wake activities were recorded for 24 h after MELA administration in rats. Rats in the acute stress and chronic stress were administered with MELA for 10 days. On the $8^{th},\;9^{th}\;and\;10^{th}$ day of MELA administration, the rats were stressed for 3 h once per day. On the $10^{th}$ day and 1 h after MELA administration, the rats were stressed once for 22 h in the chronic stress group. Acute and chronic stress induced alternations in cortex EEG recordings during non-rapid eye movement (NREM), rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and wakefulness. MELA shortened the total and REM sleep and increased the wakefulness in night time recording without changing daytime recordings. Chronic stress increased wakefulness and REM sleep, decreased total and NREM sleep in the daytime recording, and increased REM and decreased NREM sleep without changing total sleep and wakefulness in night time recording. These findings suggest that MELA ameliorated the alterations in REM and NREM sleep of acutely and chronically stressed rats via modulation of cortical ${\alpha}-$, ${\theta}-$ and ${\delta}-$ wave activity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.264-270
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• 2007

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is defined by sleep apnea with decreased oxygen saturation, excessive snoring with daytime sleepiness, and frequent awakening during the night time sleep. The present study was performed to investigate how apnea-hypopnea, that possibly causes breathing disturbance during sleep, can affect sleep pattern in patients with OSAS. We included 115 patients (92 men, 23 women) who underwent a polysomnography from January 2006 to May 2007. As the frequency of sleep apnea-hypopnea increases, the proportion of non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (p<0.001), and stage I sleep (p<0.001) increased, while that of stage II sleep (p<0.001), stage III and IV sleep (p<0.01), and REM sleep (p<0.05) decreased. Furthermore, sleep apnea-hypopnea was closely correlated with REM sleep (r=0.314, p<0.001), stage I sleep (r=0.719, p<0.001), stage II sleep (p=-0.342, p<0.05), stage III and IV sleep (r=-0.414, p<0.001), and REM sleep (r=-0.342, p<0.05). Stage I sleep could account for the 51% of the variance of apnea-hyponea. Our study shows sleep apnea-hypopnea affects sleep pattern in pattern with OSAS significantly, and the change of stage I sleep is the most important factor in estimating the disturbance of sleep pattern.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.711-717
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• 2007

Sleep is a vital, highly organized process regulated by complex systems of neuronal networks and neurotransmitters. Normal sleep comprises non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM periods that alternate through the night. Sleep usually begins in NREM and progresses through deeper NREM stages (2, 3, and 4 stages), but newborns enter REM sleep (active sleep) first before NREM (quiet sleep). A period of NREM and REM sleep cycle is approximately 90 minutes, but newborn have a shorter sleep cycle (50 minutes). As children mature, sleep changes as an adult pattern: shorter sleep duration, longer sleep cycles and less daytime sleep. REM sleep is approximately 50% of total sleep in newborn and dramatically decreases over the first 2 years into adulthood (20% to 25%). An initial predominant of slow wave sleep (stage 3 and 4) that peaks in early childhood, drops off abruptly after adolescence by 40% from preteen years, and then declines over the life span. The hypothalamus is recognized as a key area of brain involved in regulation of sleep and wakefulness. The basic function of sleep largely remains elusive, but it is clear that sleep plays an important role in the regulation of CNS and body physiologic processes. Understanding of the architecture of sleep and basic mechanisms that regulate sleep and wake cycle are essential to evaluate normal or abnormal development of sleep pattern changes with age. Reduction or disruption of sleep can have a significant impact on daytime functioning and development, including learning, growth, behavior, and emotional regulation.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2008

Introduction: REM sleep which shows characteristic muscle atonia and increased resistance of upper respiratory track is known to be vulnerable to sleep apnea. Previous studies reported that REM sleep-dependent (or related) obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (REM-dependent OSA) could be one of sleep disordered breathing. The present study aimed to investigate clinical findings and polysomnographic variables of REM-dependent OSA. Methods: Fifty-six patients diagnosed with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea by overnight polysomnography (5$53.7{\pm}16.7$ years, 42 males). REM-dependent OSA was defined as AHI-REM/AHI-NREM ratio>2. We compared clinical and polysomnographic findings between REM-dependent OSA and No REM-dependent OSA patients. Results: Among 56 patients, 37.5% (n=21, average age of $52.3{\pm}19.7$ years, 14 males) met the REM-dependent OSA criteria. There were no significant differences in age, sex and body mass index between two groups. After controlling for age, sex, body mass index and periodic leg movements index, REM-dependent OSA patients showed significantly lower AHI, lower number of oxygen desaturation events and higher stage 2 sleep proportion compared to No REM-dependent OSA patients (p=0.010, p=0.006, p=0.031, respectively). After controlling for age, sex, body mass index and periodic legs movements index, AHI-REM was positively correlated with the number of oxygen desaturation events in REM-dependent OSA group (p=0.002). Conclusion: Current results suggested that 37.5% of patients with mild to moderate severity of obstructive sleep apnea could be classified into REM-dependent OSA. REM-dependent OSA was more common in mild severity of OSA, equally prevalent in both sexes and accompanied with sleep architecture changes, i.e. increased proportion of stage 2. In addition, apneic events during REM sleep in REM-dependent OSA were related to oxygen desaturation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2010

The present investigation was conducted to evaluate the regulation of sleep architecture by the red ginseng water extract (RGE) in acutely and chronically restraint stressed rats. Adult rats were fitted with sleep.wake recording electrodes. Following post-surgical recovery, rats were extensively habituated for freely moving polygraphic recording conditions. Polygraphic signs of sleep-wake activities were recorded for 24 h after RGE administration and induction of stress and were analyzed to understand the regulation of sleep architecture. Acute stress decreased wakefulness and increased total sleep, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in both the daytime and nighttime recording. RGE shortened the daytime NREM and REM sleep, without changing the wakefulness and total sleep. RGE increased nighttime wakefulness, and decreased total, NREM and REM sleep. Chronic stress increased wakefulness and decreased total sleep in the daytime recording, and increased REM and decreased NREM sleep in both the day and night time recording. RGE ameliorated chronic stress and induced alterations of REM and NREM sleep in the day and night time sleep architecture. Acute and chronic stress could also induce alternations in cortex electroencephalogram (EEG) recording during NREM, REM sleep and wakefulness. These findings suggest that RGE may modulate the sleep behavior in acutely and chronically stressed rats and the ameliorating effect of RGE on the sleep architecture may involve in modulation of $\alpha$-, $\theta$- and $\delta$- wave activities of the cortical EEG.