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Unit of study_
SLEE5102: Breathing Disorders of Sleep
2025 unit information
This unit of study aims to develop a thorough understanding of the relationship between sleep and the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Topics will cover respiratory and cardiovascular control and changes in breathing associated with sleep. Mechanisms, causes and assessment of upper airway obstruction during sleep, central breathing disorders of sleep, and sleep related hypoventilation will be discussed. Learning will include regular short answer quizzes, as well as broader written assessments.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Medicine and Health
| Study level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Sleep Medicine |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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SLEE5101 |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. understand the anatomy and physiology of the upper airway, the mechanics of breathing during wake and sleep, and identify factors involved in the maintenance of upper airway patency that are linked to SDB
- LO2. Understand the development, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of respiratory control and appreciate the differences in the control of ventilation between wake, NREM and REM
- LO3. Compare and contrast the control of ventilation between normal individuals and those with obstructive sleep apnea and understand the influence that hypoxia and hypercapnia have on respiratory control in OSA
- LO4. Recognise central and autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function as it relates to sleep including sleep dependent changes in cerebral and peripheral circulation
- LO5. Understand the epidemiological and medical evidence for the bi-directional links between SDB and comorbidities and appreciate the health and economic consequences of SDB with identification of the demographic and lifestyle risk factors that increase the likelihood of obstructed SDB
- LO6. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the assessment of SDB, including the clinical and polysomnographic features of central and obstructive breathing disorders and hypoventilation, and describe the spectrum of obstructed breathing during sleep
- LO7. Explain the role of chemoreceptor and arousal thresholds during sleep in relation to central apnoea and identify and explain other possible causes of central sleep apnoea, including conditions associated with increased and decreased central respiratory drive
- LO8. Appreciate clinical aspects that are specific to central breathing disorders particularly the relationship between heart disease and central sleep apnoea
- LO9. Understand the mechanisms underpinning different conditions linked to sleep related hypoventilation, identify the possible causes and contrast this to other forms of SDB
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1 2025
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Online | Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney | |
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Semester 2 2025
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Online | Camperdown / Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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