How is the brain affected by sleep apnea?

These breathing pauses can prevent your body from supplying enough oxygen to the brain. In severe cases this lack of oxygen can lead to brain damage. Signs of this damage include memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and moodiness. The new study involved 17 men with severe, untreated sleep apnea.

What brain waves are associated with sleep apnea?

of polysomnographic recordings that apneas may be associated with the appearance of delta waves in the EEG. Krieger and Kurtz (6) described bursts of delta activity with frontotemporal dominance occurring to- ward the end of apneas in sleep stages 1 and 2 but not in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

What stage of sleep are alpha waves associated with?

In terms of brain wave activity, stage 1 sleep is associated with both alpha and theta waves. The early portion of stage 1 sleep produces alpha waves, which are relatively low frequency (8–13Hz), high amplitude patterns of electrical activity (waves) that become synchronized ([link]).

What part of the brain is damaged with sleep apnea?

A 2019 study published in Sleep examined the effects of OSA on the hippocampus, a part of your brain that plays an important role in memory function. Since OSA is already associated with shrinkage of the hippocampus, the authors of the study investigated whether the extent of the damage depends on OSA severity.

Does sleep apnea cause brain fog?

Due to waking up multiple times an hour throughout the night people with apnea are deprived of restful sleep. As a result, people experience symptoms that include shortened attention span and moodiness. The symptoms are much more serious than brain fog, fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

What are the long term effects of sleep apnea?

Having obstructive sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). Obstructive sleep apnea might also increase your risk of recurrent heart attack, stroke and abnormal heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation.

Which brain waves are best for sleep?

Delta. All the way at the bottom of the spectrum of brain waves — below theta waves — are the low, deep, slow delta waves. Both delta waves and theta waves occur when you’re asleep, but delta waves are the waves that dominate when you’re in a period of deep, restorative sleep.

What is the significance of alpha and beta waves during sleep?

Sleeping and Dreaming Alpha waves are seen in the electroencephalogram (EEG) during a normal wakeful state where the subject is quietly resting. Beta EEG are present when a person is alert/attentive and thinking actively. Theta rhythm (Stage 1) of sleep is present during the transition from wakefulness to sleep.