DWM Altered Structural Brain Network Resulting From White Matter Injury in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Sleep 1 Expert Comment TAKE-HOME MESSAGE A total of 135 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were compared with 165 healthy controls using fractional anisotropy (FA) analysis to document differences in brain network connectivity as a biomarker of cognitive deficits and brain tissue dysfunction. Results showed differences in the cingulate area and amygdala and lower FA values in the white matter (WM) of the right transverse temporal, anterior cingulate, and paracingulate gyri, of the left postcentral, middle frontal, and medial frontal gyri, and of the putamen in the OSA group. The authors concluded that changes in WM integrity and structural connectivity are present in patients with OSA. The study findings suggest focal dysfunctional areas in patients with sleep apnea, which may correlate with challenges in mood and executive function and attention, symptoms that are not uncommonly observed in patients with poor sleep. This study increases our understanding of cognitive challenges associated with OSA.

Altered Structural Brain Network Resulting From White Matter Injury in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

• A total of 135 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were compared with 165 healthy controls using fractional anisotropy (FA) analysis to document differences in brain network connectivity as a biomarker of cognitive deficits and brain tissue dysfunction. Results showed differences in the cingulate area and amygdala and lower FA values in the white matter (WM) of the right transverse temporal, anterior cingulate, and paracingulate gyri, of the left postcentral, middle frontal, and medial frontal gyri, and of the putamen in the OSA group.

• The authors concluded that changes in WM integrity and structural connectivity are present in patients with OSA. The study findings suggest focal dysfunctional areas in patients with sleep apnea, which may correlate with challenges in mood and executive function and attention, symptoms that are not uncommonly observed in patients with poor sleep. This study increases our understanding of cognitive challenges associated with OSA.