Altered Cortical Information Interaction During Respiratory Events in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome
Jin Chen1,2 · Minmin Lin3,4,7 · Naikai Shi1 · Jingxian Shen5 · Xuchu Weng1 · Feng Pang3,4,7 · Jiuxing Liang1,61 Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Science, Ministry of Education, China; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
2 School of General Education, Guangzhou Huali College, Guangzhou 511325, China
3 Department of Sleep Medicine, The Sixth Afliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
4 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Sixth Afliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
5 TUM-Neuroimaging Center, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
6 Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Sensor Technology and Biomedical Instrument, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
7 Biomedical Innovation Center, The Sixth Afliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510655, China
Abstract
Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) significantly impairs children’s growth and cognition. This study aims to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying OSAHS in children, with a particular focus on the alterations in cortical information interaction during respiratory events. We analyzed sleep electroencephalography before, during, and after events, utilizing Symbolic Transfer Entropy (STE) for brain network construction and information flow assessment. The results showed a significant increase in STE after events in specific frequency bands during N2 and rapid eye movement (REM) stages, along with increased STE during N3 stage events. Moreover, a noteworthy rise in the information flow imbalance within and between hemispheres was found after events, displaying unique patterns in central sleep apnea and hypopnea. Importantly, some of these alterations were correlated with symptom severity. These findings highlight significant changes in brain region coordination and communication during respiratory events, offering novel insights into OSAHS pathophysiology in children.
Keywords
Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome; Children; Respiratory events; Electroencephalogram; Efective connectivity; Symbolic transfer entropy
