Distribution of leptin receptors in the brain stem: possible route in the pathophysiology of neuromuscular control of airway resistance during sleep

•Leptin is a hormone related to satiety, it acts on breathing, improving ventilation and decreasing upper airway resistance.•Stimulation of the hypoglossal nuclei increases pharyngeal muscle tone, decreasing upper airway resistance.•The presence of leptin receptors in the hypoglossal nuclei, enables a newdrug treatment route for ventilatory disorders.