Polysomnographic features of idiopathic central sleep apnea

Two patients with idiopathic central sleep apnea (ICSA), which is an uncommon condition, were recently encountered. This study examines the polysomnographic features of ICSA. The characteristic findings of ICSA are summarized as follows: (i) central apneas and hypopneas are progressively less frequent as sleep state deepens from stage 1 to stage 2 to stage 3 + 4 to stage REM (rapid eye movement); (ii) desaturation related to apneas and hypopneas is mild; and (iii) periodic breathing is commonly observed. However, the two patients demonstrated apparently different findings. It is suggested that the mechanisms underlying apnea and hypopnea in ICSA are heterogeneous.     

Effect of exogenous melatonin on sleep and motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

Abstract Insomnia, sleep fragmentation and excessive daytime sleepiness are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and may contribute to the reduction of cognition and alertness in those patients. Melatonin has been shown to improve sleep in several conditions. In experimental models of PD, melatonin can ameliorate motor symptoms. To evaluate the effect of melatonin on sleep and motor dysfuntion in PD, we studied 18 patients (Hoehn & Yahr I to III) from a PD clinic. Prior to treatment, motor dysfunction was assessed by UPDRS II, III and IV. Subjective sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime somnolence by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Full polysomnography (PSG) was performed in all subjects. Patients were then randomized to receive melatonin (3mg) or placebo one hour before bedtime for four weeks. All measures were repeated at the end of treatment. On initial assessment, 14 patients (70%) showed poor quality sleep (PSQI > 6) and eight (40%) excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS > 10). Increased sleep latency (50%), REM sleep without atonia (66%), and reduced sleep efficiency (72%) were found on PSG. Eight patients had an apnea/ hipopnea index greater than 15 but no severe oxygen desaturation was observed. Sleep fragmentation tended to be more severe in patients on lower doses of levodopa (p = 0.07). Although melatonin significantly improved subjective quality of sleep (p = 0.03) as evaluated by the PSQI index, PSG abnormalities were not changed. Motor dysfunction was not improved by the use of melatonin. Undetected differences in motor scores and PSG findings may have been due to a small sample size and a type II error.     

Diagnostic use of daytime polysomnography versus nocturnal polysomnography in sleep apnea syndrome

The usefulness of daytime polysomnography (DPSG) in the diagnosis of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is examined. Diagnostic use was investigated by conducting DPSG of two different time periods (Group M, 11.00–14.00 h, and Group A, 15.00–18.00 h). The subjects were 30 patients (28 men and two women; mean age, 54.0 years). Nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG) and DPSG were investigated by comparing indices of sleep, apnea index (AI) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂). There was no significant difference among these indices but there was a significant positive correlation between NPSG and DPSG in all variables related to sleep apnea. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the frequency of each type of apnea between NPSG and DPSG in either group. These findings suggest that DPSG is useful not only in diagnosing SAS but in evaluating its severity.     

Polysomnography in patients with intracranial tumors before and after operation

OBJECTIVE : To evaluate the breathing and sleep patterns in patients with brain tumors before and after operation, and assess their relation to the location and size of the tumor, as well as to the post-operative outcome. METHODS : Polysomnographic studies were performed in 11 patients with intracranial tumors (nine supra- and two infratentorial) before and after surgery. RESULTS : Pre-operatively, the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 23.3. Six patients demonstrated signs of obstructive sleep apnea (SA) and one had mixed obstructive and central type SA. After operation, the mean AHI decreased to 8.1(P < 0.05). The duration of random eye movement sleep stage increased after tumor removal (P < 0.04). No relation was found between the characteristics of the tumor, nor the post-operative outcome and SA. CONCLUSIONS : Patients with brain tumors often suffer from SA and this can further worsen their symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure. Removal of the tumor results in a substantial decrease in sleep-related disturbances and may thus play a role in clinical recovery.     

Pregabalin as add-on therapy induces REM sleep enhancement in partial epilepsy: a polysomnographic study

Background and purpose:  To evaluate the effects of pregabalin (PGB) adjunctive therapy on sleepwake cycle and daytime somnolence in adult patients affected by partial epilepsy.
Methods:  Twelve patients affected by partial epilepsy underwent a 24-h ambulatory polysomnography and a subjective evaluation of daytime somnolence by means of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), before and after 3 months treatment with PGB.
Results:  Pregabalin therapy reduced seizures by >50% in 8 out of 12 patients. It induced a significant increase of REM sleep and a decrease of stage 2 NREM sleep (S2). A significant increase of the ESS score was observed without reaching the pathological cut-off value (mean ESS score <10). No statistical correlation between REM sleep and seizure frequency was observed.
Discussion:  Pregabalin seems to be effective and safe in partial epilepsy. The increase of REM sleep may be indicative of an improvement of nocturnal sleep quality considering the involvement of REM sleep in learning and memory processes. REM sleep enhancement may be the result of both a direct effect of PGB on sleep generators and an indirect effect due to its clinical efficacy. The increase of ESS score within normal range suggests that daytime somnolence is a minor adverse effect of PGB.     

Sleep Perception in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Study Using Polysomnography and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test

MethodsWe recruited patients who visited our sleep clinic for the evaluation of their snoring and/or observed OSA. Participants completed a structured questionnaire and underwent overnight polysomnography. On the following day, five sessions of the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) were applied. We divided the patients into two groups: normal sleep perception and abnormal perception. The abnormal-perception group included patients whose perceived total sleep time was less than 80% of that measured in polysomnography.ResultsFifty OSA patients were enrolled from a university hospital sleep clinic. Excessive daytime sleepiness, periodic limb movement index (PLMI), and the presence of dreaming were positively associated with poor sleep perception. REM sleep near the sleep termination exerted important effects. Respiratory disturbance parameters were not related to sleep perception. There was a prolongation in the sleep latency in the first session of the MSLT and we suspected that a delayed sleep phase occurred in poor-sleep perceivers.ConclusionsAs an objectively good sleep does not match the subjective good-sleep perception in OSA, physicians should keep in mind that OSA patients who perceive that they have slept well does not mean that their OSA is less severe.     

Sleep apnea syndrome in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism

Seven patients (one man and six women) with a diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) were examined by polysomnography in order to clarify the relationship between sleep-related breathing disorders and PTE. In the chronic stage of PTE, sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) was recognized in two patients (a man and a woman) among the subjects. Four of the five patients without SAS showed nocturnal hypoxemia. The female predominance was different from ordinary SAS without the disease background of PTE even though PTE is accompanied by hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension like SAS. A pathophysiological relationship between PTE and SAS was not found in this study.     

Sleep architectures of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in the young child

The sleep architectures of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in the young child (child-OSAS, n = 17; mean age: 5.9+/-2.7 years; male:female 14:3) were compared with that of OSAS in the adult (n = 19; mean age: 44.7+/-10.7 years; male:female 18:1) and that of primary snoring in the child (n = 5; mean age: 7.0+/-2.4 years; male:female 5:0). Child-OSAS and OSAS in the adult had the same severity in oxygen desaturation. Child-OSAS showed lower Apnea-Hypopnea Index compared with OSAS in the adult. Sleep continuity in child-OSAS was not impaired compared with OSAS in the adult. Sleep fragmentation in child-OSAS was not so remarkable. The quantity of slow wave sleep in child-OSAS was similar to that of primary snoring in the child. Both profiles of sleep architectures showed nearly the same pattern.     

Report of an EFNS task force on management of sleep disorders in neurologic disease (degenerative neurologic disorders and stroke)

A task force to develop guidelines for diagnostic evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders in degenerative neurologic disorders and stroke was initiated by the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS). The aims were to provide evidence-based recommendations in the management of sleep disorders associated with degenerative neurologic disorders and stroke.
Neurological patients often have significant sleep disorders like sleep-related breathing disorders (SBD), insomnia, sleep-related motor and rapid eye movement behavioral disorders affecting nocturnal sleep and daytime function.
A polysomnography (PSG) is usually a diagnostic minimum for the diagnoses of the most commonly reported sleep disorders in patients with neurologic diseases. A full video-PSG/video-EEG-PSG should be considered in patients with nocturnal motor and/behavior manifestations.
Respiratory polygraphy has a moderate sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of SBD without neurologic diseases, but its value in patients with neurologic diseases has not been evaluated. Oximetry has a poor sensitivity-specificity for the identification of SDB.
Continuous and bi-level positive airway pressure devices are the most effective treatment of SDB in patients with neurologic diseases.
There is a need for further studies focusing on the diagnostic procedures and treatment modalities in patients with sleep disorders and degenerative neurologic diseases and stroke.     

The Munich vulnerability study on affective disorders: premorbid polysomnographic profile of affected high-risk probands.

BACKGROUND: The most characteristic alterations in the sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) during major depression are a shortened latency to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and an elevated REM density. Because these changes persist in remission, they might represent vulnerability markers. To identify vulnerability markers, we investigated premorbid sleep EEG parameters in healthy high-risk probands (HRPs) with a positive family history of affective disorders. METHODS: We identified 136 depressed inpatients from referrals to our hospital who had first-degree relatives with an affective disorder as well as first-degree relatives with no current or lifetime history of psychiatric disorders. The latter (the HRP group) were investigated by polysomnography. During the follow-up period, 20 HRPs developed an affective disorder. Their premorbid sleep data were analyzed. RESULTS: Premorbid sleep EEG of affected HRPs showed an increased REM density (total night and first REM period) compared with the control group without personal or family history of a psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Increased REM density can be observed not only in patients with depression, but also in their healthy relatives. Moreover, it is predictive for the onset of a psychiatric disorder. Therefore, it can be recommended as a possible endophenotype of these diseases.     

Sleep-apnoea and autonomic dysfunction: a cardiopressor and pupillometric study

Isolated alterations in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) have been described in obstructive sleep-apnoea syndrome (OSAS), but the exact natur and degree of ANS involvement in OSAS is as yet uncharted. In the present study we evaluated some autonomic nervous functions in 13 OSAS patients using cardiopressor and pupillometric tests. Almost all showed only slight alterations of ANS function, generally in the form of a hypofunction of both sympathetic and parasympathetic branches. Pupillometry was more sensitive than cardiovascular indexes in detecting neurovegetative involvement which correlated with some respiratory indices The data suggest that autonomic involvement in OSAS is ascribable to metabolic changes (hypoxia, hypercapnia) rather than to primary "neurogenic" alterations.     

脑血栓形成合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征对认知和神经功能障碍的影响

目的：探讨脑血栓形成患者合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（OSAHS）对认知和神经功能障碍的影响。方法：对46例脑血栓形成患者及8例单纯OSAHS患者采用多导睡眠图（PSG）检测,并行简易精神状态检查（MMSE）评分、中国神经功能缺损评定量表及欧洲脑卒中量表评分,进一步对相关结果进行对比分析。结果：脑血栓形成合并OSAHS组睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数（AHI）显著高于单纯脑血栓形成组（P〈0．05）。脑血栓形成合并OSAHS的患者MMSE评分、中国神经功能缺损评定量表及欧洲脑卒中量表评分较单纯OSAHS及单纯脑血栓形成患者差异有显著统计学意义（P〈0．01）。脑血栓形成合并OSAHS组AHI与MMSE及欧洲脑卒中量表评分呈负相关。结论：脑血栓形成合并OSAHS患者的认知功能及神经功能下降。     

Rapid eye movement sleep disturbance in patients with refractory epilepsy: A polysomnographic study

Objective/BackgroundPatients with epilepsy have disrupted sleep architecture and a higher prevalence of sleep disturbance. Moreover, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more common among patients with refractory epilepsy. Few studies have compared subjective sleep quality, sleep architecture, and prevalence of OSA between patients with refractory epilepsy and those with medically controlled epilepsy. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the differences in sleep quality, sleep architecture, and prevalence of OSA between patients with refractory epilepsy and patients with medically controlled epilepsy.PatientsThis retrospective case–control study included 38 patients with refractory epilepsy and 96 patients with medically controlled epilepsy. Sleep parameters and indices of sleep-related breathing disorders were recorded by standard in-laboratory polysomnography. The scores from sleep questionnaires on sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were compared between the two groups.ResultsPatients with refractory epilepsy versus medically controlled epilepsy had statistically significantly decreased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (13.5 ± 6.1% vs. 16.2 ± 6.1%) and longer REM latency (152.2 ± 84.1 min vs. 117.2 ± 61.9 min). Further, no differences were found in the prevalence of sleep-related breathing disorders, subjective sleep quality, prevalence of daytime sleepiness, and quality of life. Although not statistically significant, patients with refractory epilepsy have a lower rate of OSA compared with those with medically controlled epilepsy (21.1% vs. 30.2%).ConclusionsPatients with refractory epilepsy had more disrupted REM sleep regulation than those with medically controlled epilepsy. Although patients with epilepsy have a higher risk of OSA, in this study patients with refractory epilepsy were not susceptible to OSA.     

Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome with a Kampo-formula, San'o-shashin-to: A case report

The following describes a 76-year-old male with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome successfully treated with a Kampo-formula, San'o-shashin-to (Formula medicamentorum tres ad dispellendi cordis). Polysomnography, performed before and after administration of San'o-shashin-to, revealed that the apnea index decreased from 11.1 events/hour to 4.1 events/hour, and that the apnea plus hypopnea index decreased from 18.4 events/hour to 10.7 events/hour. The patient was normo-weight (body mass index: 20.4 kg/m2), and events of sleep apnea and hypopnea were mostly noted during a non-rapid eye movement sleep. It is possible that San'o-shashin-to has some alleviating effects on the upper airway resistance during sleep.     

Restless legs syndrome in Friedreich ataxia: A polysomnographic study

Friedreich ataxia (FA) is the most common type of hereditary ataxia. Frataxin deficiency due to a GAA expansion in the first intron of chromosome 9 results in intramitochondrial iron accumulation. On the basis of the patients' complaints about sleep disturbance and pathophysiological considerations, we systematically assessed sleep history and polysomnography in FA. We included 16 consecutive FA patients (11 men, 5 women; mean age, 35.4 ± 11.1 years) with a mean disease duration of 16.5 ± 7.0 years. All patients underwent a standardized protocol including a detailed sleep history and polysomnographic recordings. Eight out of 16 patients were diagnosed with restless legs syndrome (RLS). In seven patients, RLS onset was after the onset of FA. Interestingly, FA patients with RLS had significantly lower serum ferritin levels than FA patients without RLS (76.3 ± 56.0 μg/L vs. 176.3 ± 100.7 μg/L; P = 0.043 after correction for sex and age). Moreover, periodic leg movements in wakefulness (PLMW) indices were significantly higher in FA patients with RLS than FA patients without RLS (FA with RLS, 118.1 ± 50.7; FA without RLS, 65.6 ± 44.2; P = 0.028). There was an inverse correlation between serum ferritin levels and PLMW indices obtained in all FA patients (rho ?0.538, P = 0.039). RLS is common in FA. Its frequency in this primarily spinal ataxia appears consistent with the concept of dysfunctional spinal sensorimotor integration in the pathophysiology of RLS. The finding that RLS is more frequent in the context of lower serum ferritin levels in FA is interesting, but requires further investigation in larger patient samples. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society.     

Using an air-pad sensor for the diagnosis of sleep apnea: a trial study

An air-pad sensor (APS) was developed to record respiratory effort non-invasively. The APS is placed under the subjects' bodies and acoustic signals received by the pad are analysed. Nine patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and two healthy subjects were examined using an APS and daytime polysomnography, including intraesophageal pressure (Peso), simultaneously. The agreement ratio in terms of the central apnea time between the APS and the Peso was 93.4%, although the ratio between the Peso and an abdominal strain gauge was 40.7%. The agreement ratio in terms of respiratory rate among the Peso, APS, and abdominal strain gauge in patients with OSA was high; but the agreement ratio was low (74.4%) between the Peso and the strain gauge in mixed apnea.     

Dexmedetomidine-induced polysomnography as a diagnostic method in obstructive sleep apnea: a reliable alternative method?

BackgroundUnder-diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common because of the demanding and time-consuming nature of polysomnography (PSG). Herein, we assessed the utility of a short daytime dexmedetomidine-induced PSG for diagnosis of OSA in adults.MethodsThis was a single-center, prospective, diagnostic trial. We evaluated 86 patients using a full overnight PSG and a short diurnal drug-induced PSG (DIPSG). DIPSG was induced by continuous intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion. Sedation depth was monitored and maintained using the Narcotrend index (50–70). Diagnostic performance for DIPSG with different apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) cut-off values were calculated. Bland–Altman plots used for analysis. Sleep architecture and position were compared.ResultsWe studied 47 OSA patients and 39 healthy volunteers. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of OSA by DIPSG were 92% and 79%, respectively, for an AHI cut-off value of 5, 90% and 77%, respectively, for an AHI cut-off value of 15, and 95% and 85%, respectively, for an AHI cut-off value of 30. The DIPSG bias was −5 (−25; 15) for AHI and −3 (−13; 7) for minimal oxygen saturation. N2 sleep was increased (32.9% vs. 50.75%, respectively; p < 0.01) and REM sleep was decreased (21.35% vs. 1.24%, respectively; p < 0.01) during DIPSG. Twenty-eight (33%) participants had postural shifts during DIPSG. No significant adverse events were observed during DIPSG.ConclusionsDexmedetomidine-induced PSG had a good sensitivity and specificity, and can be used as a screening tool for diagnosis of OSA in adults.Chinese Clinical Trial RegistrationChiCTR1900024044.     

Slow wave sleep and dopaminergic treatment in Parkinson’s disease: a polysomnographic study

Background – In Parkinson’s disease (PD), there is entanglement of disease‐inherent and treatment‐induced sleep abnormalities. So far, there has been no study specifically investigating the influence of diurnal dopaminergic medication (DM) on nocturnal slow wave sleep (SWS). Methods – Polysomnographic analysis in 62 PD patients. Results – PD patients had a sleep efficiency of 70 ± 17% and an SWS amount of 16 ± 11%. Linear regression analysis showed no significant correlation between the amounts of SWS and DM. However, patients with a medium DM dosage (300–600 mg of levodopa equivalents) preserved a SWS percentage >25% (p = 0.035, χ² test) more frequently than patients with higher or smaller DM. The DM dosage had no effect on other main sleep parameters. Psychotropic comedication had no effect on SWS percentage. In contrast, SWS amount was inversely correlated with both disease duration and age. It was independent of rapid eye movement sleep amount. The natural female bonus effect on SWS amount was absent in women with PD. Conclusion – Diurnal dopaminergic treatment has no major impact on SWS in PD, which, however, decreases with disease duration. Disease‐dependent, but treatment‐independent decrease in SWS suggests primary degeneration of sleep‐regulating systems in PD.     

Sleep disorders in adult‐onset myotonic dystrophy type 1: a controlled polysomnographic study

Background: Sleep disturbances and excessive daytime somnolence are common and disabling features in adult‐onset myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Methods: Our study used questionnaires, ambulatory polysomnography and the multiple sleep latency test to evaluate sleep‐wake cycle and daytime sleepiness in unselected adult‐onset DM1 patients. We recruited 18 patients affected by adult‐onset DM1 and 18 matched controls. Results: Sleep efficiency was <90% in 16/18 patients, and it was significantly reduced when compared with controls. Reduced sleep efficiency was associated with abnormal respiratory events (5/18 patients) and/or periodic limb movements (11/18 patients). The Periodic Limb Movement Index was significantly increased in DM1 versus controls. A significantly lower mean MSLT sleep latency was detected in DM1 versus controls, but it did not reach pathological levels. Conclusions: Our controlled study demonstrated sleep alterations in unselected consecutive DM1 patients. Periodic limb movements in sleep are commonly associated with sleep disturbance in adult‐onset DM1, and it may represent a marker of CNS neurodegenerative processes in DM1.