Problems with breathing during sleep violate brain function
It is known that sleep apnea leads to problems in the brain - impaired attention concentration, worsening memory and learning ability, increased fatigue, may appear symptoms of depression, emotional instability. However, until now it was not clear exactly what is broken in the brain due to apnea.
Neuroscientist Paul Macey from the University of California in Los Angeles (USA) and colleagues conducted a study, which involved 14 patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and 22 healthy volunteers. With the help of the so-called magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the scientists measured the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate in the insula region of the brain tested.
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and has a calming effect. Glutamate GABA opposite in its effect - is an exciting mediator. However, the excess concentration of glutamate can increase stress levels and have toxic effects on the neurons.
The researchers found in the insula region of the brain of patients suffering from sleep apnea, high concentrations of glutamate and GABA concentrations decreased. They were surprised at how different concentrations of these substances in the area of ??the brain in patients with apnea and in healthy volunteers.
"We rarely have seen such large-scale differences in the measurement of biological parameters. We expected to find an increased glutamate content, because we know that its excess can damage the brain, and we have seen the damage in sleep apnea. However, we were surprised decrease in the concentration of GABA. We realized that there was a reorganization of brain function ", - says Paul Macey.
The scientist added that these results can be called encouraging, and suggests that the observed changes are reversible. In the future, the researchers plan to test how the treatment of sleep apnea (the standard treatment is the so-called CPAP-therapy: using a special apparatus maintains a constant air pressure in the airway) affects the neurotransmitter balance in the insula region of the brain. If these treatments are not effective, another option - a conscious meditation exercises that can give a calming effect and may reduce the excess concentration of glutamate.
Neuroscientist Paul Macey from the University of California in Los Angeles (USA) and colleagues conducted a study, which involved 14 patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and 22 healthy volunteers. With the help of the so-called magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the scientists measured the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate in the insula region of the brain tested.
GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and has a calming effect. Glutamate GABA opposite in its effect - is an exciting mediator. However, the excess concentration of glutamate can increase stress levels and have toxic effects on the neurons.
The researchers found in the insula region of the brain of patients suffering from sleep apnea, high concentrations of glutamate and GABA concentrations decreased. They were surprised at how different concentrations of these substances in the area of ??the brain in patients with apnea and in healthy volunteers.
"We rarely have seen such large-scale differences in the measurement of biological parameters. We expected to find an increased glutamate content, because we know that its excess can damage the brain, and we have seen the damage in sleep apnea. However, we were surprised decrease in the concentration of GABA. We realized that there was a reorganization of brain function ", - says Paul Macey.
The scientist added that these results can be called encouraging, and suggests that the observed changes are reversible. In the future, the researchers plan to test how the treatment of sleep apnea (the standard treatment is the so-called CPAP-therapy: using a special apparatus maintains a constant air pressure in the airway) affects the neurotransmitter balance in the insula region of the brain. If these treatments are not effective, another option - a conscious meditation exercises that can give a calming effect and may reduce the excess concentration of glutamate.