| Objective:To explore the possible mechanism of cognitive function deterioration in children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), by studying the relationship between the blood serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level and cognitive function deterioration.Methods:1.40children with OSAHS and22children with habitual snoring from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University who underwent overnight Polysomnography were enrolled in the study,22cases of healthy children for the control group.2. Children behaviors were assessed by Corners abbreviated symptom questionnaire. The questionnaire total score is30. A total score>10indicates cognitive impairment.3.Polysomnography(PSG) including apnea and hypopnea index(AHI), obstructive apnea index(OAI), arousal index(AI), the lowest SaO2, slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (%TST) have been conducted to the sample.4. From6:30am to7:00am, blood was collected from the cubital veins before breakfast on the morning after PSG monitoring. After centrifugation, serum was collected and stored in a refrigerator at-80℃. The blood serum BDNF levels were measured using ELISA.Result:1.The ratio of abnormal behavior in OSAHS and habitual snoring children was higher than that of healthy group (P<0.01),while there was no difference between these two groups (P>0.05). The content of BDNF in OSAHS and habitual snoring children was lower than healthy group (P<0.01), while there was no difference between these two groups (P>0.1).2.The OSAHS accompanied by abnormal behavior children had lower REM(%TST), LSaO2and higher AI than that without abnormal behavior. There was no significant difference in AHI and SWS(%TST). The habitual snoring children accompanied by abnormal behavior had higher AI than that without abnormal behavior, but there was no significant difference in AHI, LSaO2, REM(%TST) and SWS(%TST).3.The content of BDNF in OSAHS children accompanied by abnormal behavior was lower than that without abnormal behavior(P<0.01), and the difference was also found in habitual snoring children(P<0.05).Conclusion:1. OSAHS and habitual snoring children have more behavior problems than healthy children.2.Disordered sleep structure, especially the reduction of REM sleep, frequent nocturnal awakening and severe oxygen desaturation may be an important cause of OSAHS children’s cognitive impairment and behavior problems.3. BDNF levels are lower in children with OSAHS and habitual snoring, and the levels of BDNF are related to the abnormal behavior in these children. The decrease in the serum BDNF levels of OSAHS children is probably one of the mechanisms that lead to cognitive impairment and behavior problems. |
