Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive complete or partial collapse of the upper airway and reduction of airflow during sleep. It is associated with significantly increased daytime muscle sympathetic nerve activity thought to result from the repetitive intermittent periods of hypoxemia during sleep and brain alterations that are likely to result. Different brain regions are affected by subsequent hypoxia/anoxia. Neurodegenerative processes result in measurable atrophy of cortical gray matter in the temporal lobes and posterior cingulate cortex, as well as in subcortical structures such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus. This study involved a group of firstly diagnosed, therapy-naive, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, out of which 144 (96 males and 48 females), aged 34–57 (mean 47.88 ± 6.07), satisfied the recruiting criteria for the study and control groups. All the patients underwent MRI scanning, polysomnography testing, and cognitive evaluation. Cognitively, worse results were obtained in the group with OSA (p < 0.05) and NAFLD (p=0.047). A significant decrease in volumes of cortical and subcortical structures was revealed (p < 0.001). In conclusion, brain deterioration followed by cognitive impairment is, most likely, the result of intermittent hypoxia and anoxia episodes that initiate the domino process of deteriorating biochemical reactions in the brain.
Highlights
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive complete or partial collapse of the upper airway and reduction of airflow during sleep
We aimed to assess whether OSA is associated with structural brain changes in various brain regions and whether OSA consecutively leads to cognitive impairment compared to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients
E body mass index was significantly higher among the persons with OSA
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive complete or partial collapse of the upper airway and reduction of airflow during sleep. A relative paucity of investigations dealing with the interrelationships between OSA, brain integrity, and cognitive decline in older adults should be noted. As adults age, they may experience neurodegenerative processes resulting in measurable atrophy of cortical gray matter in the temporal lobes and posterior cingulate cortex, as well as subcortical structures such as the hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus. We aimed to assess whether OSA is associated with structural brain changes in various brain regions and whether OSA consecutively leads to cognitive impairment compared to NAFLD patients. (11) Patients who used antidiabetic drugs, insulin, antilipemic drugs, uricosuric drugs, steroids, and oral contraceptives were excluded from the study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
