Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and olfactory perception: An OERP study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA) is linked to narrower nasal airways, potentially impairing olfactory function.
• Previous studies suggest a relationship between nasal structure, airflow problems, and olfactory deficits in OSA patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess olfactory perception in OSA patients using Chemosensory Event-Related Potentials (CSERP).
• To investigate the N1 and Late Positive Component (LPC) of CSERP in relation to olfactory stimuli.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 12 non-smoking OSA patients and 12 healthy controls.
• Utilized electroencephalography (EEG) during an oddball olfactory recognition task with rose and eucalyptus scents.
• Evaluated OSA patients using Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Polygraphic Recording, Apnea Hypopnea Index, and Body Mass Index.

Main Results:

• OSA patients exhibited faster N1 latencies and greater N1 amplitude compared to controls.
• OSA patients showed decreased LPC latency and increased LPC amplitude, particularly in the right inferior frontal cortex for rose stimulation.
• Faster latencies in the left centroparietal cortex were also observed in OSA patients.

Conclusions:

• CSERP results suggest potential impairments in endogenous olfactory processing components in OSA patients.
• Observed N1 component changes may indicate exogenous perceptual difficulties.
• Increased arousal in OSA patients during olfactory tasks could be related to respiratory activity.