Visual Evidence Of Brain Damage In Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Visual Evidence Of Brain Damage In Adults With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

"A study on OSA in the July 1 issue of the journal Sleep provides visual evidence of the severe structural damage that occurs in numerous regions of the brain in people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Results show that OSA patients have extensive alterations in 'white matter,' nerve tissue in the brain containing fibers that are insulated with myelin - a white, fatty sheath. These structural changes appear both in brain regions that have functional importance for characteristics such as mood, memory and cardiovascular regulation; and in fiber pathways interconnecting these regions."

The study involved 41 patients with moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea and 69 control subjects matched by age. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a newer type (MRI), was performed to analyze the microstructure of the brain tissue and to visualize it.

Most people with OSA snore loudly and frequently, with periods of silence when airflow is reduced or blocked. They then make choking, snorting or gasping sounds when their airway reopens.

The most common treatment for OSA is continuous positive airway pressure , which provides a steady stream of air through a mask that is worn during sleep. This airflow keeps the airway open to prevent pauses in breathing and restore normal oxygen levels.

Apparently about 80 percent to 90 percent of adults with OSA still remain undiagnosed.
As some of the effects of OSA may be irreversible, it is imperative to diagnose it as soon as possible.