Physiology of Sleep & Breathing

Current research projects include:

• Development of new pharmacotherapies for sleep apnoea Clinical trials involving pharmacotherapies related to OSA. Currently there are no approved pharmacotherapies to treat OSA. We are leading multiple multi-centre drug studies and phase one trials aimed at reducing OSA severity and about to commence a worldwide trial aimed at reducing body weight in obese people with OSA.
• Investigation of the physiological mechanisms of OSA and disordered breathing in lung diseases. The respiratory muscles are activated over 20,000 times a day for breathing and we are developing new methods to assess inefficient breathing in lung disease. 
• New developments in physiological signal analysis and algorithm design.
• Development and testing of alternative devices to improve the range of OSA treatments such as the mandibular advancement splint.
• Upper airway reconstructive surgery and post operative care and follow up for OSA.
• Improving treatments in co-morbid conditions such as chronic inflammatory lung disease (COPD), Multiple sclerosis (MS) and in atrial fibrillation (AF).

^{Pictured: FHMRI Sleep Health – Nick Antic Sleep Laboratory physiology research bedroom (courtesy of Cheeseman Architects)}