Genioglossus Nerve Stimulation for Sleep Apnea

Genioglossus nerve stimulation is a new way to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A small device sends mild signals to the nerve that moves your tongue. This keeps your tongue forward so it does not block your airway while you sleep.

What is genioglossus nerve stimulation?

In obstructive sleep apnea, your airway gets blocked again and again while you sleep. The genioglossus is the biggest muscle in your tongue. It helps keep your airway open while you sleep. If this muscle relaxes too much, your tongue falls back. Then it blocks your airway.

How does it work?

A doctor places a small device under your skin. It sends mild electrical signals to the hypoglossal nerve (the nerve that moves your tongue). This nerve controls the genioglossus muscle.

The signals keep your tongue forward while you sleep. This stops it from blocking your airway.

What devices are used today?

Inspire therapy is the best-known device of this kind. It is the leading device of this type approved by the FDA (the U.S. Food and Drug Administration). The FDA has approved it since 2014.

Research on newer devices and methods is still going on. Some work on the nerves on both sides of the tongue. Others place the wires that carry the signal in different ways.

Who may be a good fit?

• Sleep apnea level — People with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.
• CPAP trouble — People who cannot use CPAP (a mask that blows air to keep your airway open).
• Weight — People whose BMI (a measure of weight for height) is in the accepted range.
• Airway shape — People whose airway shape works well for it. This is checked with DISE, a short test where the doctor looks at your airway while you sleep under medicine.

A sleep specialist must check whether it is right for you.