[The changes of memory and their correlations to S100beta protein as well as neuron-specific enolase in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the possible mechanism of brain damage and memory impairment in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) by detecting the memory, serum S100beta protein, neuron specific enolase( NSE) and analyzing the relationship among them.

METHOD

Thirty patients with moderate or severe OSAHS (AHI > 20/h) and twenty normal controls were included in this study. All subjects were detected by polysomnography in the sleep laboratory and the memory of them were evaluated before PSG examination. Memory tests including point memory, association learning, picture free recall, meaningless picture recognition, face characters associated memory have been conducted. The serum S100beta protein was detected by ELISA and the serum NSE was detected by immunoradiometric assay. The relationship between memory and serum S100beta as well as NSE were analyzed in both experiment group and control group.

RESULT

The score of point memory, association learning, meaningless picture recognition, face characters associated memory and memory quotient in patients with OSAHS was significantly lower than control group (P < 0.05). The serum S100beta and NSE level was significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05); and correlated positively with AHI as well as ODI; and correlated negatively with MSaO2. Memory quotient correlated negatively with AHI, ODI, serum S100beta and NSE level; and correlated positively with LSaO2, MSaO2.

CONCLUSION

Memory impairment were present in patients with OSAHS. The increased level of serum S100Beta and NSE may be one of the mechanisms of brain damage and memory impairment in with, OSAHS. And nocturnal hypoxia may contribute to the increased level of serum S100beta and NSE.