Sleep research led to a new sleep apnea drug

A University of Toronto professor's three decades of sleep research has led to a new drug for obstructive sleep apnea that recently showed positive results in phase 3 clinical trials. Richard Horner's work identified two key pathways—involving the neurotransmitter noradrenaline and muscarinic receptors—that control breathing muscle activity during sleep and malfunction in sleep apnea patients. The discovery is significant given that obstructive sleep apnea affects an estimated 1.6 billion adults globally and can increase risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, and cognitive impairment if left untreated.