Received September 14, 2004
Revised October 1, 2004
Accepted after revision October 22, 2004

¹ University of Wisconsin - Madison

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jdempsey{at}wisc.edu.

	Abstract

Comroe Lecture Manuscript Abstract This brief review addresses the characteristics, lability and the mechanisms underlying the hypocapnic- induced apneic threshold which is unmasked during NREM sleep. The role of carotid chemoreceptors as fast, sensitive detectors of dynamic changes in CO2 is emphasized and placed in historical context of the long- held debate over central versus peripheral contributions to CO2 sensing and to apnea. Finally, evidence is presented which points to a significant role for unstable, central respiratory motor output as a significant contributor to upper airway narrowing and obstruction during sleep.

Key Words: Apnoea, Sleep

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