Brain Damage and Motor Cortex Impairment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Implication of Nonrapid Eye Movement Sleep Desaturation

TL;DR

This study investigates how NREM sleep desaturation in COPD patients may lead to brain damage and motor impairment, highlighting the importance of sleep-related oxygen levels in neurological health.

Contribution

It is the first to assess the prevalence of NREM sleep desaturation in nonhypoxemic COPD patients and compare cerebral and neuromuscular markers based on sleep desaturation status.

Findings

NREM sleep desaturation is prevalent in nonhypoxemic COPD patients.

Patients with NREM sleep desaturation show increased markers of cerebral lesion.

NREM sleep desaturation correlates with motor cortex impairment.

Abstract

Nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep desaturation may cause neuronal damage due to the withdrawal of cerebrovascular reactivity. The current study (1) assessed the prevalence of NREM sleep desaturation in nonhypoxemic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and (2) compared a biological marker of cerebral lesion and neuromuscular function in patients with and without NREM sleep desaturation.