Systemic vs. Central Administration of Common Hypnotics Reveals Opposing Effects on Genioglossus Muscle Activity in Rats

Study Objectives:To determine if systemic administration of selected sedative-hypnotics that modulate the function of the γ-amino-butyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor can: (i) delay arousal thereby allowing genioglossus (GG) activity to increase more in response to respiratory stimulation during sleep, (ii) also cause the robust increase in GG activity during undisturbed sleep recently observed with barbiturates. We also determined effects on GG activity with local application to the hypoglossal motor nucleus (HMN).