biostudies-literatureUnknown108(3)Avraam J<h4>New findings</h4>What is the central question of this study? How does alcohol intake, which worsens obstructive sleep apnoea, alter motor control of the genioglossus muscle, an upper airway dilator, in healthy awake human volunteers, and does alcohol alter genioglossus muscle afterdischarge? What is the main finding and its importance? Alcohol consumption had a very minor effect on the activity of the genioglossus in healthy young individuals studied during wakefulness and did not alter afterdischarge, leaving open the possibility that alcohol worsens obstructive sleep apnoea via other mechanisms.<h4>Abstract</h4>Alcohol worsens obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This effect is thought to be due to alcohol's depressant effect on upper airway dilator muscles such as the genioglossus, but hExperimental physiology491-502https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10103883biostudies-literatureThe influence of alcohol on genioglossus single motor units in men and women during wakefulness.PMC10103883Jordan ASAvraam JNicholas CLO'Donoghue FJTrinder JKoay ZYGreig RKay ADawson AFridgant MDFan FLfalseThe influence of alcohol on genioglossus single motor units in men and women during wakefulness.<h4>New findings</h4>What is the central question of this study? How does alcohol intake, which worsens obstructive sleep apnoea, alter motor control of the genioglossus muscle, an upper airway dilator, in healthy awake human volunteers, and does alcohol alter genioglossus muscle afterdischarge? What is the main finding and its importance? Alcohol consumption had a very minor effect on the activity of the genioglossus in healthy young individuals studied during wakefulness and did not alter afterdischarge, leaving open the possibility that alcohol worsens obstructive sleep apnoea via other mechanisms.<h4>Abstract</h4>Alcohol worsens obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This effect is thought to be due to alcohol's depressant effect on upper airway dilator muscles such as the genioglossus, but h2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Mar2026-07-17T01:02:21.515Z2025-04-05T15:08:45.409ZS-EPMC101038833653397310.1113/EP090580