Obstructive sleep apnea decreases central nervous system–derived proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid

We hypothesized that one mechanism underlying the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Alzheimer's disease is OSA leading to decreased slow wave activity (SWA), increased synaptic activity, decreased glymphatic clearance, and increased amyloid‐β. Polysomnography and lumbar puncture were performed in OSA and control groups. SWA negatively correlated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid‐β‐40 among controls and was decreased in the OSA group. Unexpectedly, amyloid‐β‐40 was decreased in the OSA group. Other neuronally derived proteins, but not total protein, were also decreased in the OSA group, suggesting that OSA may affect the interaction between interstitial and CSF. Ann Neurol 2016

Source: Annals of Neurology - May 31, 2016 Category: Neurology Authors: Yo‐El S. Ju, Mary Beth Finn, Courtney L. Sutphen, Elizabeth M. Herries, Gina M. Jerome, Jack H. Ladenson, Daniel L. Crimmins, Anne M. Fagan, David M. Holtzman Tags: Brief Communication Source Type: research