Stroke victims who have obstructive sleep apnea die sooner than stroke victims who do not have sleep apnea or who have central sleep apnea, according to Swedish researchers, who will present their findings at the American Thoracic Society’s 2008 International Conference in Toronto on Monday, May 19.
The researchers followed 132 stroke patients over 10 years. Twenty-three of those patients had obstructive sleep apnea; 28 of those patients had central sleep apnea. Those with an obstructive apnea-hypopnea index of 15 or greater were 76 percent more likely to die earlier. Those with a lower apnea-hypopnea index of 10 were also at greater risk of early death.
__________
Trackback URL for this post:
http://awakeinamerica.info/2009/top-news/sleep-apnea-causes-early-death-in-stroke-patients/trackback/
Just one night without sleep can increase the amount of the chemical dopamine in the human brain, according to new imaging research in the August 20 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience. Because drugs that increase dopamine, like amphetamines, promote wakefulness, the findings offer a potential mechanism explaining how the brain helps people stay awake despite the urge to sleep.
However, the study also shows that the increase in dopamine cannot compensate for the cognitive deficits caused by sleep deprivation.
__________
Trackback URL for this post:
http://awakeinamerica.info/2008/top-news/sleepless-nights-increase-dopamine-in-human-brain/trackback/
People with obstructive sleep apnea have been reported to have increased markers of oxidative stress and exhibit architectural changes in their brain tissue in areas involved in learning and memory. Chronic intermittent hypoxia in rats produce similar neurological deficit patterns.
“Obstructive sleep apnea has been increasingly recognized as a serious and frequent health condition with potential long-term morbidities that include learning and psychological disabilities,” wrote David Gozal, M.D., professor and director of Kosair Children’s Hospital Research Institute at the University of Louisville, lead author of the article.
__________
Trackback URL for this post:
http://awakeinamerica.info/2008/top-news/apnea-related-cognitive-issues-may-be-treated-with-green-tea/trackback/
A study recently published demonstrates that individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may have hope of regaining cognitive functions once they begin treatment for the apnea.
Study results, published in the December 2006 issue of CHEST, show the majority of trial participants who suffered memory-impairment prior to treatment demonstrated normal memory performance after three months of optimal continuous positive airway pressure CPAP use.
A CPAP is a medical device, which, in the simplest of terms, is an air generator set to deliver a prescribed, constant flow of air, keeping the airway open and preventing apnea.
__________
Trackback URL for this post:
http://awakeinamerica.info/2006/top-news/cpap-use-may-boost-apneics-memory/trackback/