Sleep Apnea and Cognition, pt 3

This is it! My second-to-last post! We are almost done!

In this post, I will be talking about the effect sleep apnea has on executive functions and memory. Executive functions are the processes that allow us to manage ourselves. They allow us, for example, to prioritize tasks, tell right from wrong, etc. Working memory and problem solving are one of the examples of executive functions.

Executive functions:

• Problem solving and planning: In a study done, subjects were timed to see how long it took them to complete the Tower of London Test (a video is attached below). Sleep apnea patients consistently had a longer response time. The Torrance Test of creative thinking was also performed, and deficits on this test were observed in sleep apnea patients.
• Working memory: Working memory is the memory that temporarily holds information for processing. Subjects in a study were given simple working memory tasks. An example is asking the subject to read multiple sentences and remember the last word of each. Decreased response times and reduced accuracy were observed in sleep deprived individuals and sleep apnea patients. This can also be explained by the fact simple working memory tasks require attention, but attention is impaired in sleep apnea patients.

Description of Torrance Test of Creative Thinking

Sleep deprivation also impacts memory in other ways. Sleep is important for the consolidation of memories. Different kinds of memories are consolidated in different stages of sleep. For example, REM sleep plays a crucial in the consolidation of procedural memory. Procedural memory is the memory responsible for knowing how to do things and motor skills. Thus, sleep apnea and sleep deprivation impacts the brain’s capacity to commit new things to memory.