Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cerebrovascular and Respiratory Function: A Pilot Study
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Anthony Bain
Proposal
Sufficient sleep is important for health, and sleep deprivation is a significant stressor associated with a wide variety of health conditions, including cerebrovascular disease and stroke. Despite this, a large portion of the population is frequently sleep deprived, potentially due to a combination of lifestyle and health factors. Though the mechanism by which sleep deprivation increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease is not fully understood, previous studies have shown that sleep deprivation is also associated with endothelial dysfunction in various parts of the body. In order to determine whether these effects extend to cerebral endothelial function, this study attempts to examine the effects of one night of sleep deprivation on cerebrovascular reactivity by way of blood vessel diameter and velocity, as well as on the ventilatory response to increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Measures are taken of participants’ chemoreflex ventilatory response to high arterial CO2, and ultrasound recording of the left vertebral artery is taken. Participants also undergo neurovascular coupling assessment, during which ultrasound recording is again taken of the left vertebral artery during repeated eyes closed and eyes opened with stimulation cycles. This study will compare these measures in pre- and post-sleep deprived states to determine whether lack of sleep and sleep dysfunction may be influencing cerebrovascular reactivity. If there is a significant deviation between the two states, it could provide insight for the mechanism by which lack of sleep contributes to cerebrovascular disease and stroke.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cerebrovascular and Respiratory Function: A Pilot Study
Sufficient sleep is important for health, and sleep deprivation is a significant stressor associated with a wide variety of health conditions, including cerebrovascular disease and stroke. Despite this, a large portion of the population is frequently sleep deprived, potentially due to a combination of lifestyle and health factors. Though the mechanism by which sleep deprivation increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease is not fully understood, previous studies have shown that sleep deprivation is also associated with endothelial dysfunction in various parts of the body. In order to determine whether these effects extend to cerebral endothelial function, this study attempts to examine the effects of one night of sleep deprivation on cerebrovascular reactivity by way of blood vessel diameter and velocity, as well as on the ventilatory response to increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Measures are taken of participants’ chemoreflex ventilatory response to high arterial CO2, and ultrasound recording of the left vertebral artery is taken. Participants also undergo neurovascular coupling assessment, during which ultrasound recording is again taken of the left vertebral artery during repeated eyes closed and eyes opened with stimulation cycles. This study will compare these measures in pre- and post-sleep deprived states to determine whether lack of sleep and sleep dysfunction may be influencing cerebrovascular reactivity. If there is a significant deviation between the two states, it could provide insight for the mechanism by which lack of sleep contributes to cerebrovascular disease and stroke.