Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 14, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

20.7K

Sleep spindle activity in children with obstructive sleep apnea as a marker of neurocognitive performance: A pilot

Pablo E Brockmann1, Felipe Damiani2, Eduardo Pincheira3

  • 1Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Pulmonology, Division of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Sleep Medicine Center, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology : EJPN : Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
|February 26, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Children with mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) show altered sleep spindle activity, impacting neurocognitive functions, particularly memory. This suggests sleep spindles are key indicators of cognitive outcomes in pediatric OSA.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Sleep Medicine
  • Cognitive Psychology

Background:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children can lead to neurocognitive deficits.
  • Sleep microstructure, including sleep spindles, may be affected by OSA.
  • Identifying biomarkers for neurocognitive consequences in pediatric OSA is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sleep spindle activity as potential markers for neurocognitive outcomes in children with mild OSA.
  • To compare sleep spindle patterns between children with mild OSA and healthy controls.
  • To examine the correlation between sleep spindle activity and neurocognitive performance.

Main Methods:

  • Recruited children aged 6-11 years with mild OSA (apnea-hypopnea index <5.0) and age/gender-matched controls.
  • Conducted polysomnography to analyze sleep microstructure and spindle activity.
  • Administered the Wechsler intelligence test for children (4th ed.) to assess neurocognitive function.

Main Results:

  • Children with mild OSA exhibited significantly lower spindle index in N2 stage compared to controls (89.5 ± 56.9 vs 143.0 ± 42.5, p=0.003).
  • No significant difference in overall IQ scores was observed between groups (OSA: 111 ± 13 vs Controls: 108 ± 12, p=0.602).
  • Spindle index in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep strongly correlated with Verbal Comprehension Index, Working Memory Index, Processing Speed Index, and total IQ in children with OSA.

Conclusions:

  • Mild OSA in children is associated with distinct sleep spindle activity patterns.
  • Sleep spindle activity appears linked to neurocognitive performance, especially memory, in pediatric OSA.
  • Sleep spindles may play a role in the mechanisms underlying neurocognitive consequences of OSA in children.
Abstract

Keywords:
LearningMemoryNeurocognitiveSleep apneaSleep microstructureSleep spindles

More Related Videos

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults07:40

Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults

Published on: January 26, 2019

8.3K
Quantitative Measurement of the Immune Response and Sleep in Drosophila12:16

Quantitative Measurement of the Immune Response and Sleep in Drosophila

Published on: December 4, 2012

16.0K

Related Concept Videos

Sleep Apnea01:21

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
593
Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation01:13

Insufficient Sleep and Sleep Deprivation

Insufficient sleep refers to not getting the recommended amount of sleep for optimal functioning, even if it's just slightly less than needed. Sleep insufficiency may occur due to lifestyle choices, such as staying up late for social events or work, resulting in routinely getting less sleep than required. For example, consistently sleeping 6 hours when the body needs 7-9 hours can lead to cumulative effects on health and well-being.
Sleep deprivation is a more severe form of sleep loss...
962
Stages of Sleep01:22

Stages of Sleep

Sleep progresses through distinct stages, each characterized by specific brain wave patterns and physiological responses ranging from wakefulness to stages of non-rapid eye movement, known as non-REM, to rapid eye movement, referred to as REM. Understanding these stages helps in recognizing how sleep supports various bodily and cognitive functions.
Before sleep begins, in wakefulness, the brain exhibits primarily beta waves, which are high in frequency and low in amplitude, indicating alertness...
1.5K
Understanding Sleep01:11

Understanding Sleep

Sleep, an essential biological state, involves significant reductions in physical activity, sensory awareness, and interaction with the environment. This complex physiological process is primarily regulated by specific brain regions, notably the hypothalamus and pons, which govern the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm.
The circadian rhythm, a nearly 24-hour cycle, is deeply influenced by environmental light cues. Light exposure directly affects the hypothalamus, which in turn regulates...
1.6K
Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking01:17

Sleepwalking and Sleep Talking

Somnambulism, commonly known as sleepwalking, involves individuals engaging in activities ranging from simple walking to more complex behaviors such as driving. Sleepwalking typically occurs during the slow-wave sleep stages 3 and 4 early in the night when the person is not dreaming, contradicting the myth that sleepwalkers are acting out their dreams.
Factors that increase the likelihood of sleepwalking include sleep deprivation and alcohol consumption. Contrary to common beliefs, it is safe...
1.0K
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
462