Obstructive Sleep Apnea and P300 Evoked Auditory Potential

• Published in: Brazilian journal of otorhinolaryngology 2011-11, Vol.77 (6), p.700-705
• Main Authors: Martins, Carlos Henrique, de Castro, Ney, Costa Filho, Orozimbo Alves, de Souza Neto, Osmar Mesquita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; auditory; Case-Control Studies; cognition; event related potentials; Event-Related Potentials, P300 - physiology; evoked potentials; Evoked Potentials, Auditory - physiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; obstructive; Original; p300; Polysomnography; Prospective Studies; Reaction Time; respiration disorders; Severity of Illness Index; sleep apnea; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - complications; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive - physiopathology; Snoring - physiopathology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1808-8694; 1808-8686
• DOI: 10.1590/S1808-86942011000600004

The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) reduces attention span, memory and concentration capacities, all associated with cognition. The analysis of the auditory P300 parameters could help infer cognitive dysfunction. To compare the data from polysomnography and the auditory P300 in adults, primary snorers with OSAS patients. Prospective study with primary snorers (N=12) and in OSAS patients (N=54), submitted to polysomnography, defined by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The polysomnography and P300 variables were compared by the t-Student test, the Exact Fisher's Test, logistic regression and analysis of correlation with a significance level of 5%. AIH had an inverse correlation with the oximetry in both groups. The P300 prevalence was lower in the OSAS group (Fisher's Exact Test, p=0.027). Patient age did not influence the P300 prevalence (regression analysis; p=0.232). The P300 amplitude was lower in the OSAS group (t-Student test; p=0.003) and the P300 latency was similar in both groups (t-Student test; p=0.89). The reduction in the P300 amplitude in patients with OSAS suggests cognitive dysfunction induced by a reduction in auditory memory.