July - September 2016, Volume 12, Issue 3

Rosulescu R

The Role of Cortisol in Neurocognitive Performance in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

Acta Endo (Buc) 2016, 12 (3): 375-377
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2016.375

Obstructive sleep apnea consists in recurrent episodes of partial obstruction of the upper airways which can determine cessation of breathing during sleep causing intermittent hypoxia. The obstructive sleep disorders are encountered predominantly in obese patients with or without metabolic syndrome, that can affect the quality of life and life expectancy by increasing the cardiovascular risk of coronary artery disease, conductance disturbances, malignant arrhythmias, promoting atherogenic processes, determining sudden death and impairing several domains of cognitive function.

Keywords: obstructive sleep apnea, neurocognitive function, cortisol levels and rhythm.

Correspondence: Razvan Rosulescu MD, “Carol Davila” Central Military Hospital, Dept. of Cardiology, 134 Plevnei Rd, Bucharest, 010242, Romania, E-mail: rosulescu.razvan@ymail.com