Effects of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment
on Brain Function
Sleep Apnea is a medical disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Previous studies have revealed that sleep in apnea patients is different from sleep in healthy persons. Assessment of brain activity will help to identify regions of the brain which are related to these differences. This research study will involve sleep studies, PET and MRI scans and treatment for your sleep apnea as well as follow up care.
Should you decide to participate in this research study, you will be asked to have one magnetic resonance (MR) imaging study of your brain and a complete physical examination. You will also be asked to complete a series of psychological tests. These tests measure sleepiness, general intellectual function, attention, learning and memory.
Upon completion of the MRI scan, physical examination and psychological tests you will be scheduled for three nights of sleep studies at the Clinical Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC) - sleep lab - of UPMC located on the 13th floor of Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. You will sleep undisturbed during the first two nights of your sleep tests.
While you are completing your sleep studies you will be scheduled to have two separate Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans of your brain. The first PET scan is scheduled for the morning after your second night of sleep. The second PET scan is scheduled during the third night of your sleep studies shortly after you fall asleep.
Following the completion of these initial sleep and PET assessments, you will receive treatment for your sleep apnea with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). This is the standard form of treatment for sleep apnea. CPAP blows a steady stream of air through your nose into your throat. This keeps the throat from closing and blocking your airway. There are multiple studies showing its effectiveness. You will be followed by the research staff for 6 weeks while using CPAP and offered education, counseling and assistance as needed during your treatment. After 6 weeks of this therapy, the neuropsychological tests, sleep studies and the PET studies will be repeated.
If you are between 25 and 60 years old and suffer from sleep apnea and are not currently being treated for the disorder you may be eligible to participate in this research study. You will be compensated $300 for your participation. To learn more about this study please contact the Project Coordinator at 412-246-6448 or you can contact us via the web.
