[Sleep apneas and mental deterioration in the elderly subject (author's transl)]. / Apnées au cours du sommeil et détérioration mentale chez le sujet agé.

24 subjects aged more than 65 years classified into 11 non deteriorated subjects and 13 mentally deteriorated subjects by means of tests of mental capacity. They underwent an all-night polygraphic recording including monitoring of respiration by thermistors, strain gauges and ear oximeter. Sleep apneas were detected in either group, but with a greater prevalence in the group of mentally deteriorated subjects. Furthermore significant negative correlations (1) were found between mental capacity and the mean apnea index (p less than .001) and between mental capacity and the total duration of apneas (p less than .01). These data emphasize the interest of all night polygraphic recordings coupled with the control of respiration in mentally deteriorated elderly subjects.