The researchers concluded that the mammillary bodies in the brains of the sleep-apnea patients were twenty percent smaller than the ones in the control patients.

OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea, is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing.

The study, entitled “Reduced mammillary body volume in patients with obstructive sleep apnea,” was published in the journal Neuroscience Letters (volume 438, issue 3, June 27, 2008, pages 330-334.

The authors of the study include Rajesh Kumar, Bramley V.X. Birrer, Paul M. Macey, Mary A. Woo, Rakesh K. Gupta, Frisca L. Yan-Go, and Ronald M. Harper.

Harper stated, "Our findings demonstrate that impaired breathing during sleep can lead to a serious brain injury that disrupts memory and thinking.” [United Press International: “Sleep apnea linked to memory loss”]

The abstract to their paper stated, “Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients show compromised emotional and cognitive functions, including anterograde memory deficits.”

The study concluded, “Diminished mammillary body volume in OSA patients may be associated with memory and spatial orientation deficits found in the syndrome. The mechanisms contributing to the volume loss are unclear, but may relate to hypoxic/ischemic processes, possibly assisted by nutritional deficiencies in the syndrome.”

Rahesh Kumar, another researcher in the study, stated, "The findings are important because patients suffering memory loss from other syndromes, such as alcoholism or Alzheimer disease, also show shrunken mammillary bodies.” [UPI]

Most sleep apnea sufferers are not aware of their problem. Oftentimes partners, who are awakened in the night by episodes of sleep apnea, make them aware of the problem.

Chronic and/or severe obstructive sleep apnea can cause sleep deprivation and other complications. The most serious complication can be cor pulmonale, or a type of congestive heart failure. It is important to correct the problem before such serious problems occur.

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Research  Science  Sleep  William Atkins