Investigating treatments for obstructive sleep apnea
Official title: Upper airway collapsibility, loop gain and arousal threshold: an integrative therapeutic approach to obstructive sleep apnea
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10918257 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is for people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who have trouble using standard breathing machines; it looks at how well soft palate surgery helps improve their sleep, and if needed, tests a medication to see if it can help them sleep better afterward.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $590,974 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL160993-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10918257 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who are unable to tolerate positive airway pressure therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with mild obstructive sleep apnea or those who can tolerate positive airway pressure therapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who cannot tolerate traditional positive airway pressure therapy. Participants will undergo drug-induced sleep endoscopy to measure airway pressure and will receive soft palate surgery. The effectiveness of the surgery will be evaluated through sleep studies before and six months after the procedure. Additionally, patients who do not experience resolution of OSA will participate in a crossover study testing the effects of acetazolamide and a combination of acetazolamide with eszopiclone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with obstructive sleep apnea who struggle with current therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using surgical interventions and pharmacological treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kezirian, Eric James — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Kezirian, Eric James
Related research
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A patient-friendly look at a research program aiming to tailor sleep apnea care using genetics, biomarkers, and brain/body signals to improve prediction and prevention.
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Night-to-night sleep-disordered breathing differences in women and men
A study to find better biomarkers for sleep apnea severity, especially in women, by monitoring people at home for a week and tracking daily mood and energy.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.