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Neuropsychological functioning and determinants of morning alertness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2009

Edwin Verstraeten ,
Raymond Cluydts ,
Johan Verbraecken  and
Jacques De Roeck
Edwin Verstraeten
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
Raymond Cluydts
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium Clinical Sleep Research Center, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Johan Verbraecken
Affiliation:
Clinical Sleep Research Center, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
Jacques De Roeck
Affiliation:
Clinical Sleep Research Center, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Abstract

Neuropsychological functioning is reported to be impaired in patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). This syndrome is characterized by nocturnal respiratory disturbances, blood oxygen desaturations, sleep fragmentation, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Opinions arc divided concerning the exact relationship between the observed cognitive deficits, nocturnal hypoxia, sleep disruption, and impaired daytime alertness. In the present study, morning neuropsychological function of 26 moderate to severe middle-aged sleep apneics is compared to that of 22 primary insomniacs. There were no performance differences on a range of neuropsychological tests among the two patient groups. In addition, the data suggest that morning alertness impairment, which is closely associated with a lack of slow wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, is of major importance in inducing poorer cognitive performance in patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea. (JINS, 1996, 2,306–314.)

Keywords

Obstructive sleep apnea syndromeNeuropsychological functionHypoxiaSleep disturbancesMorning alertness
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , July 1996 , pp. 306 - 314
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 1996

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