Sleep Disordered Breathing and Neurocognitive Disorders.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular science
• Neurology
• Sleep medicine

Background:

• Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disorders.
• OSA's impact on brain structure and cognitive function is a growing area of research within the heart-brain axis.
• Neurocognitive abnormalities are increasingly linked to OSA's influence on cardio-neural pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence linking OSA to neurocognitive disorders.
• To explore the cardio-neural pathophysiology associated with OSA.
• To summarize available treatment options for OSA-related neurocognitive disorders.

Main Methods:

• This study is a narrative review of existing literature.
• It synthesizes findings on the relationship between OSA, cardiovascular health, and brain function.
• The review examines pathological pathways and potential diagnostic imaging modalities.

Main Results:

• OSA plays a significant role in the cardio-neural pathway, leading to cerebral small vessel disease and neurocognitive decline.
• Pathological pathways driven by OSA affect both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.
• Understanding these pathways may enable simultaneous early detection of organ system pathologies.

Conclusions:

• OSA is a critical factor in the heart-brain axis, influencing neurocognitive decline and cardiovascular disease.
• Further research is needed, but imaging could potentially detect early signs of OSA-related damage in both systems.
• Targeting OSA may offer therapeutic benefits for associated neurocognitive and cardiovascular conditions.