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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Plasma α-synuclein levels are increased in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Hao-Lun Sun1, Bin-Lu Sun1, Dong-Wan Chen1
1Department of Neurology and Centre for Clinical Neuroscience Daping Hospital Third Military Medical University Chongqing China.
Objective:
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by nocturnal intermittent hypoxemia and can increase the risk of Parkinson's disease. This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma α-synuclein levels and hypoxia in the patients with OSAS.
Methods:
We recruited 42 OSAS patients and 46 controls with simple snoring matched for age and gender. OSAS was diagnosed on the basis of the clinical symptoms as well as the nighttime polysomnography. Plasma total α-synuclein and phosphorylated α-synuclein levels were measured by ELISA kits.
Results:
The OSAS patients had significant higher levels of plasma total α-synuclein and phosphorylated α-synuclein levels. Both of the above indexes were positively correlated with the apnea-hypopnea index and the oxygen desaturation index, while they were negatively correlated with the mean and lowest oxyhemoglobin saturations.
Interpretation:
This study suggests that chronic intermittent hypoxia can increase the α-synuclein levels, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.
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