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Symbolic dynamics of respiratory cycle related sleep EEG in children with sleep disordered breathing

Sarah A Immanuel, Mark Kohler, Muammar M Kabir

    Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference
    |January 9, 2015
    PubMed

    Insights

    Children with sleep disordered breathing (SDB) exhibit altered EEG complexity, particularly during REM sleep. This indicates changes in cortical activity related to the respiratory cycle in these children.

    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Pediatrics
    • Sleep Medicine

    Background:

    • Childhood sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is linked to cognitive and behavioral issues, as well as early cardiovascular changes.
    • Children with SDB often have higher arousal thresholds and subtle cortical activation during sleep, difficult to detect with standard EEG scoring.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate EEG complexity throughout the respiratory cycle using symbolic dynamics in children with SDB and healthy controls.
    • To investigate alterations in cortical activity patterns associated with breathing in children experiencing SDB.

    Main Methods:

    • EEG data from 40 children with SDB and matched healthy controls were analyzed.
    • EEG amplitude values were symbolized using quartiles, forming 3-letter words classified into 4 pattern types.
    • Symbolic dynamics were applied to assess EEG complexity across respiratory phases (inspiration/expiration).

    Main Results:

    • Children with SDB demonstrated reduced EEG complexity during non-REM sleep, independent of the respiratory phase.
    • In REM sleep, healthy children showed decreased EEG variability during expiration compared to inspiration.
    • This respiratory-related modulation of EEG variability in REM sleep was absent in children with SDB.

    Conclusions:

    • Respiratory cycle-related EEG dynamics are significantly altered in children with SDB during REM sleep.
    • These findings suggest underlying changes in cortical activity regulation associated with SDB.
    • The study highlights potential biomarkers for SDB-related neurological impact.

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