Effects of obstructive sleep apnea on cognition
What effects does obstructive sleep apnea have on cognition?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with significant cognitive and behavioral dysfunction.
It causes impaired executive functioning that is due, at least in part, to sleepiness. Visual ability, verbal ability, and long-term memory are relatively preserved localizing the deficit to prefrontal cortex.
Symptoms usually improve with use of continuous positive airway pressure.
Obstructive sleep apnea can also produce cognitive dysfunction through increasing hypertension and vascular disease.
