Intermittent Hypoxia for Sleep Apnea

This trial explores how reducing blood flow to the brain affects breathing patterns during sleep. Researchers are testing a drug that lowers cerebral blood flow and examining its interaction with different oxygen levels during sleep: normal room air and intermittent low oxygen (similar to a high-altitude environment). Participants will be divided into groups to receive either the drug or a placebo while sleeping under these oxygen conditions. The trial seeks healthy adults aged 18-45 who live in Calgary and do not have medical conditions or take blood pressure medications. As a Phase 1 trial, this research focuses on understanding how the treatment works in people, offering participants the opportunity to be among the first to receive this new treatment.

The trial requires that participants should not be taking any blood pressure medications. If you are on such medications, you would need to stop taking them to participate.

A previous study demonstrated that using medications to lower blood flow to the brain is generally safe. For instance, a skin patch with glyceryl trinitrate, which reduces blood pressure, maintained normal brain blood flow in individuals who recently experienced a stroke. This suggests the treatment is well-tolerated in specific situations.

Regarding intermittent hypoxia sleep (short periods of low oxygen during sleep), research indicates it is mostly safe. Studies have shown it can lead to positive changes in the brain and might assist with certain conditions. However, monitoring for any effects on the heart is important.

Normoxia sleep, which involves regular sleep with normal oxygen levels, does not present significant safety concerns and resembles the air breathed daily.

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how cerebral blood flow and breathing patterns change during sleep in different oxygen conditions. Unlike traditional methods that might only focus on sleep quality or breathing issues, this trial examines how a drug can specifically lower cerebral blood flow and how that interacts with intermittent hypoxia (periods of reduced oxygen levels) during sleep. This could uncover new insights into managing conditions related to sleep-disordered breathing or brain blood flow, potentially leading to more effective and targeted treatments.

This trial will compare treatments involving intermittent hypoxia (IH) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) modulation. Research has shown that IH training might boost blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive skills. One study found that a single IH session can increase brain blood flow and might aid in tasks requiring planning and decision-making. Other studies suggest IH could benefit various organs and enhance exercise endurance. In this trial, some participants will experience IH sleep with either a drug that lowers CBF or a placebo. Research on reducing brain blood flow indicates it can impact cognition, especially in low-oxygen situations. Participants will also experience normoxia sleep with either a drug lowering CBF or a placebo. Overall, early evidence suggests these treatments could affect brain blood flow and related functions, but further research is needed to confirm these effects.⁶⁷⁸⁹¹⁰