Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
There is considerable overlap between the neural circuits that control breathing and those that control the cardiovascular system. Often dysfunctions in these systems are connected and should be addressed as a whole. Respiratory dysrhythmias are positively associated with increased cardiovascular risk and sudden death. Some types of respiratory arrhythmia are highly prevalent, like obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). It affects between 9 to 38% of the adult population worldwide. In some elderly groups, OSA affects 90% of men and 78% of women. Most people remain undiagnosed and it is estimated that 1.5 million UK adults have OSA. There is no effective drug treatment, and the currently available treatment options are sub-optimal. My research group aims to address such unmet clinical needs.
We use preclinical models to identify and validate novel therapeutic targets to treat respiratory dysrhythmias and sympatho-vagal dysfunction. We are interested in the circuit dynamics of respiratory and cardiovascular centres, from rhythm and pattern formation to systems level. During preclinical stages, we also collaborate with mathematicians to develop realistic multiscale computational models of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, which support the validation of newly identified targets. Through collaborations with a solid network of clinical researchers, we are able to take new discoveries into proof-of-principle studies in humans.
Keywords
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- central apnoea
- Rett syndrome
- Pitt-Hopkins syndrome
- hypertension
- heart failure
- carotid body
- breathing
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Network
Projects
- 4 Finished
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Modeling the respiratory-sympathetic coupling in neurogenic hypertension
1/03/15 → 5/01/16
Project: Research
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Newton001: Temporal profiling of cardiac autonomic changes following organophosphorus poisoning
Abdala Sheikh, A. P. & Paton, J. F. R.
1/01/15 → 31/01/18
Project: Research
Research output
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Advancing respiratory–cardiovascular physiology with the working heart–brainstem preparation over 25 years
et al., 16 Mar 2022, In: The Journal of Physiology. 600, 9, p. 2049-2075 27 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Open AccessFile7 Citations (Scopus)83 Downloads (Pure) -
Delayed Ventricular Repolarization and Sodium Channel Current Modification in a Mouse Model of Rett Syndrome
Cheng, H., Charles, I., James, A. F., Abdala Sheikh, A. P. & Hancox, J. C., 20 May 2022, In: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 23, 10, p. 1-25 25 p., 5735.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Open AccessFile26 Downloads (Pure) -
QTc interval and ventricular action potential prolongation in the Mecp2Null/+ murine model of Rett syndrome
Cheng, H., Charles, I., James, A. F., Abdala, A. P. & Hancox, J. C., 5 Oct 2022, In: Physiological Reports. 10, 19, 12 p., e15437.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)10 Downloads (Pure)
Activities
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'Breathing: Understanding the rhythm of life to help cure disease', Faculty of Biomedical Sciences School Talks
Ana Paula Abdala Sheikh (Speaker)
14 Oct 2016Activity: Talk or presentation types › Schools engagement
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'Breathing: Understanding the rhythm of life to help cure disease', Faculty of Biomedical Sciences School Talks
Ana Paula Abdala Sheikh (Speaker)
12 May 2016Activity: Talk or presentation types › Schools engagement
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World Orphan Drug Congress
Ana Paula Abdala Sheikh (Invited speaker)
13 Nov 2014Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference