Relationship of changes in sleep architecture and cognitive function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome / 中国医学科学院学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To explore the relationship between sleep architecture changes and cognitive impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six patients with OSAS and 18 controls were administered polysomnography and neuropsychological tests of visual regeneration, digital symbol, comprehensive memory and digital span.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Performances on the visual regeneration test and digital symbol test in patients with OSAS were impaired significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Patients' performance on the visual regeneration test was significantly associated with slow wave sleep duration (r = 0.423, P < 0.05) and that on the digital symbol test was significantly associated with REM sleep duration (r = 0.378, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Slow wave sleep and REM sleep derivation may play a role in the cognitive impairment in patients with OSAS.</p>