Obstructive sleep apnea severity related hippocampal subregional volume changes and the association with hypoxia

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cognitive impairment and brain structural changes, but the specific association of disease severity with hippocampal subfields remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to delineate volumetric changes across hippocampal subfields in patients stratified by OSA severity and to investigate the association between these changes and intermittent hypoxia (IH), as well as clinical symptoms.

A study of 159 participants with OSA underwent MRI and in-hospital polysomnography. Patients were categorized into mild (n = 30), moderate (n = 53), and severe (n = 76) groups based on the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Hippocampal subfield volumes were automatically segmented and compared between groups using a general linear model, controlling for age, sex, and BMI. Regression analyses were used to assess correlations with hypoxemia indices and cognitive scores.

A paradoxical pattern of hippocampal alterations was observed. Patients with severe OSA showed significant volumetric increases in the CA3-body, CA4-body, and GC-ML-DG-body compared to the mild and moderate groups. These enlargements were significantly associated with hypoxemia severity exclusively in the severe group. Conversely, fimbria atrophy was observed in moderate and severe groups compared to the mild group, and this reduction was correlated with lower global cognitive performance (MoCA score, Standardized β: 0.352, 95%CI: [0.049, 0.655], p=.023).

OSA severity is correlated with a dual pattern of hippocampal changes: subfield-specific hypertrophy concurrent with fimbria atrophy. These structural alterations are primarily associated with the severity of IH and cognitive decline.

Not applicable.