Changes in Cerebral Cortical Information Interaction During Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome in Children

Background Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) in children is a common sleep-disordered breathing condition characterized by repetitive partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, often accompanied by sleep disturbances, hypercapnia, and hypoxemia. Extensive research has shown that OSAHS profoundly affects children’s sleep structure and brain energy metabolism, potentially leading to internal environmental imbalances. Untreated OSAHS can cause damage to multiple systems, including growth and development disorders, as well as neurological and cardiovascular system damage. Furthermore, studies have confirmed that OSAHS may lead to brain structural damage in children, closely related to cognitive disorders, emotional disturbances, and behavioral abnormalities. Therefore, this study aims to reveal the pathophysiological mechanism of cerebral cortical information interaction changes in children with OSAHS, with a particular focus on changes in cerebral cortical information exchange during respiratory events.

Paper Source: This study was jointly completed by Chen Jin, Lin Minmin, Shi Naikai, Shen Jingxian, Weng Xuchu, Pang Feng, and Liang Jiuxing, who are from South China Normal University, Huali College, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Technical University of Munich, and Sun Yat-sen University. The research results were accepted in 2023 and published in the 2024 issue of Neuroscience Bulletin (Neurosci. Bull.) by the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Research Details: The study recruited 31 children diagnosed with OSAHS (24 males and 7 females) from the Department of Sleep Medicine at The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. The children underwent full-night polysomnography monitoring, and Symbolic Transfer Entropy (STE) was used for brain network construction and information flow assessment. Results showed that STE in specific frequency bands significantly increased post-event during N2 and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stages; STE also increased during events in N3 sleep stage. Additionally, a significant increase in intra- and inter-hemispheric information flow imbalance was found post-event, with unique patterns in central sleep apnea and hypopnea. Importantly, these changes were found to be correlated with symptom severity.

Research Conclusions and Significance: These findings highlight significant changes in brain region coordination and communication during respiratory events, providing new perspectives on the pathophysiology of OSAHS in children. The scientific value of the study lies in enhancing our understanding of how OSAHS affects children’s cognition and growth. Its practical value is reflected in providing evidence for early screening and diagnosis of OSAHS. By evaluating and analyzing changes in cerebral cortical information flow and interaction during sleep respiratory events in children with OSAHS, this study proposes potential new therapies and interventions, which may assist clinical practice and improve patients’ quality of life.