Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB or sleep apnea) is very common among elderly Veterans and
leads to increased morbidity and mortality in this population. The proposal aims to identity
whether oxygen, finasteride and acetazolamide can be effective in reducing unstable breathing
and eliminating sleep apnea in the elderly via different mechanisms. This proposal will
enhance the investigators' understanding of the pathways that contribute to the development
of sleep apnea in the elderly. The investigators expect that the results obtained from this
study will positively impact the health of Veterans by identifying new treatment modalities
for sleep apnea. A cumulative effect of the investigators' research will fulfill the
long-term goal of improving the quality of life of elderly Veterans suffering from sleep
apnea and its potential life-threatening complications.