Sodium oxybate and breathing.

摘要

Use of sodium oxybate (SO) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and narcolepsy is controversial. SO is the first-line treatment for cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy [1]. SO is a derivate of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a natural metabolite of the brainstem. GHB is a short-chain fatty acid, with action as an inhibitory neurotransmitter or neuromodulator. Mamelak [2] observed a decrease in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) after treatment with gamma-OH in a patient with central apnea and narcolepsy. Another study performed in patients with OSA did not find differences between AHI before and after gamma-OH treatment [3].