The effect of CPAP therapy on memory consolidation and sleep architecture in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSAS) affects 2-4% of adults. It is characterised by repeated episodes of upper airway obstruction during sleep, resulting in hypoxia and disturbed sleep. OSAS is strongly linked to obesity, poor mental health and impaired cognitive function, creating a substantial socio-economic burden. Sleep affects the consolidation process that strengthens newly formed memories. A strongly supported view is that newly encountered information is first stored temporarily in the hippocampus, with components of sleep such as "slow oscillations" (<1 Hz) promoting transfer to longer-term neocortical sites. Few studies have examined memory consolidation in patients with OSAS, with no studies incorporating EEG to examine whether impairments in memory consolidation are linked to poor sleep patterns.
OSAS is treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), requiring patients to wear a face mask during sleep to regulate breathing. Preliminary evidence suggests that CPAP can lead to immediate changes in sleep architecture, including increased slow-wave sleep. However, we do not know if these benefits maintain over time and/or extend to memory consolidation. By addressing these gaps, the proposed research will have clear clinical value and broader benefits for advancing theories of sleep-dependent consolidation across patient and non-patient populations.