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Effects of Serotonin on Central Apnea?
Hi All..
I saw an article in USA Today that said a study had found that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been linked to low serotonin levels, which affects the brain stem functioning and causes the brain to not recognize low levels of oxygen, and therefore not wake the baby up, and so die of oxygen deprivation.
(excuse my 'technical' wording, here is the link to the article, so you can evaluate for yourself: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-02-03-sids03_st_N.htm )
I have central apnea, and the explanation of how that works sounds just like SIDS...will we soon hear that low serotonin levels may also be a contributing factor in CSA?
I saw an article in USA Today that said a study had found that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been linked to low serotonin levels, which affects the brain stem functioning and causes the brain to not recognize low levels of oxygen, and therefore not wake the baby up, and so die of oxygen deprivation.
(excuse my 'technical' wording, here is the link to the article, so you can evaluate for yourself: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-02-03-sids03_st_N.htm )
I have central apnea, and the explanation of how that works sounds just like SIDS...will we soon hear that low serotonin levels may also be a contributing factor in CSA?
Views: 2243
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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fascinating theory, Sherry. if that's true, patients with Central Sleep Apnea might be able to go off their ASV machines and other contraptions and simply take one of the many SSRI antidepressants out there -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitor -- i wonder if a study has ever been done on this...
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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be very careful
i am on citaloprim and was directly asked do i have suisidal thoughts before a script was given me
also i do not drive after taking this medicaion
also there is a warning not to take St Johns Wort
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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I doubt that Mike. Maybe I missed something, but I am not seeing how this would help adults on ASV. SSRIs carry with them their own bad side effects on Sleep. Great article though!
Mike said:fascinating theory, Sherry. if that's true, patients with Central Sleep Apnea might be able to go off their ASV machines and other contraptions and simply take one of the many SSRI antidepressants out there -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitor -- i wonder if a study has ever been done on this...
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Permalink Reply by Nate Greene on
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There have also been thoughts that a vitamin D deficiency might lead to SIDS. I think it is all heading in the right direction, because a vitamin D deficiency has been linked to low seratonin levels! Maybe there is a natural way to go about this?
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Mike I just caught your post from Wiki. Interesting to say the least.
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I was just deducing that if Central Sleep Apnea is caused by low serotonin levels, that getting the serotonin levels back up would treat the disorder. SSRIs get the serotonin levels back up. Hence the conclusion about SSRIs being used instead of ASVs to treat this disorder. Pure speculation, and I am NOT encouraging anyone to try this on their own. I was more just wondering aloud whether anyone has studied this theory.
Rock Hinkle said:I doubt that Mike. Maybe I missed something, but I am not seeing how this would help adults on ASV. SSRIs carry with them their own bad side effects on Sleep. Great article though!
Mike said:fascinating theory, Sherry. if that's true, patients with Central Sleep Apnea might be able to go off their ASV machines and other contraptions and simply take one of the many SSRI antidepressants out there -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_serotonin_reuptake_inhibitor -- i wonder if a study has ever been done on this...
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Mike in my original post I had yet to read your link. It is an interesting theory for those plagued by central apnea of unknown origin. I would definately like to see some more research. SSRis can really diminish the deeper stages of sleep. Not sure about changing one symptom for another as of yet. My training has just made me leary of medications for sleep. They just do not seem to work without some odd side effect.
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Permalink Reply by RL on
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Just before I was diagnosed with OSA & central sleep apnea, I was tested for Vitamin D levels with my annual physical, resulting in a "deficient" blood level below 20. My PCP had me start taking 5000 iu of vitamin D right away. I had not heard of this level of supplementation before, so I did some research and found it was entirely reasonable, especially considering my test result. I'm hoping this supplementation will help prevent or minimize several serious potential conditions. It would be interesting if I could get my serotonin level checked too, but maybe the timing for this is off, since I already started my CPAP therapy and vit D supplementation.
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Just started Tryptophan for depression. I will track my cpap events (Elite 2 with software) and post results later.
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Permalink Reply by Mary Callahan on
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I increased both my 5-htp and l-tryptophan, and my central apneas went down, but could be totally not related, as I am just starting with APAP and from what I've read here, it is normal to have some central apneas when starting on APAP -- at least until things settle down. My central apneas may be going down by just getting used to the new machine. But it sure is an interesting theory. I can't say I have depression, but I have been taking 5-htp for years to help with my insomnia.
George Smith said:Just started Tryptophan for depression. I will track my cpap events (Elite 2 with software) and post results later.
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Permalink Reply by Jenny Foerst on
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Hmm. My neurologists have always told me that the antidepressants have take (Elavil, Serzone, and currently Cymbalta) actually repair sleep architechture and produce more restorative sleep.
Rock Hinkle said:Mike in my original post I had yet to read your link. It is an interesting theory for those plagued by central apnea of unknown origin. I would definately like to see some more research. SSRis can really diminish the deeper stages of sleep. Not sure about changing one symptom for another as of yet. My training has just made me leary of medications for sleep. They just do not seem to work without some odd side effect.
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I took both Elavil and Serzone and neither one ever helped with my sleep. I have had insomnia for near 40 years. And I take 5-HTP and L-Tryptophan as well and I can't say I sleep more with those either. But I am afraid to stop taking them, thinking that maybe my sleep would be even worse.
And my sleep study did not show any central apneas, but I'm getting anywhere from 5 to 12 an hour while using my new APAP machine.
So you can't go by me! Be curious to see if taking tryptophan or antidepressants would work for others though. I am thinking that maybe I have an insomnia gene that just can't be fixed.
Jenny Foerst said:Hmm. My neurologists have always told me that the antidepressants have take (Elavil, Serzone, and currently Cymbalta) actually repair sleep architechture and produce more restorative sleep.
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