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4/2017 vol. 30
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REVIEW
The effects of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on the executive functions of the brain before and after treatment
Dimitra I. Siachpazidou 1
,
 
Nicholas-Tiberios Economou 2
,
 
Chaido Pastaka 1
,
 
Chrissi Hatzoglou 1
,
 
Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis 1
 
 
 
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1
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sleeprelated Breathing Disorders Laboratory, University of Thessaly Medical School Larissa, Greece
 
2
Sleep Study Unit, Eginition Hospital, University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
 
 
Corresponding author
Dimitra I. Siachpazidou   

Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Thessaly, Laboratory of Respiratory Sleep Disorders, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo Postcode 41110 Larissa, Greece
 
 
Pneumon 2017;30(4):243-254
 
Article (PDF)
References (64)
 
KEYWORDS
obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
 executive functions
 neurocognitive battery
 neurocognitive functions
 
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
To summarize the information of published studies on the effect of OSAS on the executive functions of the brain in adult patients before and after any treatment.

Method:
An extensive literature search was performed on the Pub Med database.

Results:
The OSAS inarguably causes neurocognitive deficit and reduced activation of brain regions responsible for cognitive function. The methods of treatment are: by a continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) device, mandibular treatment and tonsillectomy. These methods of treatment offer some protection to the cognitive areas of the brain. The severity of the syndrome correlates significantly with the scores of various neuropsychological batteries; these batteries vary even if they evaluate the same function.

Conclusions:
The severity of the syndrome is responsible for the degree of neurocognitive dysfunction. The most prevalent form of treatment is the use of a device with positive air pressure CPAP which acts as a protective factor in neurocognitive functions. Further research is needed because few studies have evaluated the effects of treatment using a CPAP device while the timeframe and the population that needs to be studied remain uncertain.

 
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