Investigating the Neuropathology of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

Overview

Our multi-disciplinary research group works closely with people who have obstructive sleep apnoea. This is a life-long illness that causes breathing to stop during sleep, which leads to low-oxygen in the blood. Breathing restarts when the airway at the back of the throat reopens, usually during arousal from sleep. In some people the repeated arousals from sleep cause daytime sleepiness. Our research has shown that the low blood oxygen levels affect thinking and feeling, and in some cases we think it damages the brain cells involved with memory, attention, emotions and decision-making. This study will investigate the relationship between the amount of oxygen in the blood and the loss (if any) of brain cells. Also how the ability to perform complex tasks is affected in patients that suffer from sleep apnoea. The results will show whether the brain damage in patients with sleep apnoea can be reversed with treatment. These findings will guide doctors in the treatment for sleep apnoea and they will cast light onto the process of memory decline with the aim to preserve brain function.

This is a cross-sectional physiological study, which is anticipated to last for 4 years. In order to study the mechanism of cognitive dysfunction in Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), patients will start Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment following the confirmed diagnosis of sleep apnoea. CPAP is the treatment of choice for patients with moderate to severe OSA who are sleepy during the day. It is also used in patients with mild OSA if they are excessively sleepy or suffer from cardiovascular risk factors. It is recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a treatment for adults with moderate or severe OSA (Sleep apnoea - continuous positive airway pressure, NICE 2008). In the proposed study the initiation of CPAP will be within the 18 week period set out in the National Health Service (NHS) Improvement Plan and Standards for Better Health (Standards for Better Health, Department of Health 2004). No patient with a diagnosis of OSA will commence treatment with CPAP later than advised by the NICE guidelines of clinical judgement for the best interest of the patient. In order to investigate the neuroinflammation process and discrete changes in the brain of patients with OSA, a minimum of 9 patients with mild OSA and 9 patients with severe OSA will be compared to 9 healthy controls following initial sleep (assessment) study. All participants will undergo a dynamic Positron Emission Tomography with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (PET-MR) scan with the Translocator protein (TSPO) tracer \[Fluorine-18\] N,N-diethyl-2-\[4-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl\]-5,7-dimethylpyrazolo\[1,5-a\]pyrimidine-3-acetamide (DPA-714) at the time of enrolment to the study. Each participant will also have an MRI scan and cognitive testing.