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Sleep Apnea in Elderly
Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB or sleep apnea) is very common among elderly Veterans and leads to increased morbidity and mortality in this population. The proposal aims to identity whether oxygen, finasteride and acetazolamide can be effective in reducing unstable breathing and eliminating sleep apnea in the elderly via different mechanisms. This proposal will enhance the investigators' understanding of the pathways that contribute to the development of sleep apnea in the elderly. The investigators expect that the results obtained from this study will positively impact the health of Veterans by identifying new treatment modalities for sleep apnea. A cumulative effect of the investigators' research will fulfill the long-term goal of improving the quality of life of elderly Veterans suffering from sleep apnea and its potential life-threatening complications.
Official title: Pathophysiology-Guided Therapy for Sleep Apnea in the Elderly
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - 89 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
100
Start Date
2015-07-03
Completion Date
2026-07-31
Last Updated
2025-09-23
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Hyperoxia/oxygen
The ventilatory effects of brief hyperoxia will be assessed by analyzing control breaths on room air immediately preceding the hyperoxic exposure, and comparing with the primary end-point, nadir minute ventilation breath, immediately following the brief hyperoxic exposure
Acetazolamide
Participants with sleep apnea will ingest capsules containing either placebo or acetazolamide 500 mg twice a day for 5 days. On the final 2 consecutive nights while still on ACZ, the investigators will perform i) physiology tests and ii) in-lab follow-up PSG.
Finasteride
Elderly males with sleep apnea and adequate testosterone levels will ingest placebo vs finasteride, at 5 mg a day for 1 month (mo). After 1 mo, while still on the drug, on the final 2 consecutive nights, the investigators will perform i) physiology tests and ii) in-lab follow-up PSG. Blood tests will be performed to check sex hormone levels. A washout period of 1 month prior to cross-over to the alternate arm (placebo).
Locations (1)
John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI
Detroit, Michigan, United States