Neuropsychological Function in Mild Sleep-Disordered Breathing

Abstract

Although a broad range of neuropsychological deficits has been reported in patients with severe sleep disordered breathing (SDB), little is known about the impact of mild SDB on neuropsychological performance. In this study, we compared neuropsychological test performance in two groups of carefully screened volunteers who differed clearly according to the respiratory disturbance index (RDI). Controls (n = 20) were identified on the basis of an RDI < 5; cases (n = 32) had an RDI in the range of 10-30. Cases and controls were well matched with regard to IQ, age, and sex. Cases had significantly more self-reported snorting and apneas and a higher body mass index than controls but did not differ according to sleepiness as measured by either the multiple sleep latency test or the Epworth sleepiness scale. An extensive battery of neuropsychological and performance tests was administered after an overnight sleep study. Cases performed significantly more poorly on a visual vigilance task (perceptual sensitivity, d': 2.24 +/- 0.64 vs. 2.70 +/- 0.53, p = 0.01, for cases and controls, respectively) and a test of working memory, the Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised digits backwards test (6.12 +/- 2.20 vs. 7.55 +/- 2.22, p = 0.02), than controls. The groups did not differ in their performance on other tests of memory, information processing, and executive functioning. In summary, subjects with mild SDB may manifest a vigilance deficit in the absence of substantial sleepiness. Subjects with a mildly elevated RDI (10-30) without sleepiness do not appear to suffer appreciable deficits in more complex neuropsychological processes (e.g. executive functions).

The Combination of Supplemental Oxygen and a Hypnotic Markedly Improves Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients with a Mild to Moderate Upper Airway Collapsibility

“…Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder with serious cardiovascular [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] and neurocognitive consequences, 9 yet a considerable number of patients do not tolerate the most commonly prescribed treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). [10][11][12][13][14][15] Therefore, novel approaches to OSA treatments are needed.…”

Effects of Sleep Disorders on the Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson Disease

“…[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Sleep disorders result in complaints about disturbed sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, cognitive decline, and depression, all of which are also recognized as NMS of PD. [26][27][28][29] Additionally, sleep disorders have been shown to substantially impact healthrelated quality of life in patients with PD. 30 Few studies have assessed possible relationships between any given sleep disorder and different NMS in PD population.…”

Evaluation of Cognitive Function Using Objective and Subjective Tests in the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

“…Both primary and secondary consequences of the obstructive respiration during sleep lead to emotional and behavioral alterations (1). Hypoxemia in the patients with OSAS may have different effects on the cognitive function and may lead to permanent anoxic damage to the central nervous system, neuronal lesions and atrophy in the hippocampus (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17). For the patients with OSAS, it has been suggested that hypoxemia has negative regulating effect on the memory function and there is a significant reduction especially in short-term memory (1-3).…”