Transcranial magnetic stimulation cortical oscillations and improve cognition in obstructive sleep apnea patients.

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive tool to improve cognition. Relevant clinical studies are mainly focused on neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, cognition decline and psychiatric disorders are popular in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. We aimed to investigate the effect of TMS over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on cognition test performance and to compare the changes in quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) before and after stimulation for OSA.

Methods: This study recruited 42 OSA patients diagnosed with polysomnography according to American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines. TMS (intermittent theta-burst stimulation paradigm; 2 s on, 8 s off, 600 pulses*3, intermittent 15 min) was performed on the DLPFC. Cambridge Automated Neuropsychological Test Battery was used to assess cognitive performance. EEG oscillations were computed via power spectral density with MATLAB software.

Results: Real-TMS group displayed a significant improvement in visual memory, sustain attention performance, as well as the outcome of working memory. However, the executive function of latency was changed in both groups. Furthermore, TMS resulted in a significant increase in the relative power spectral density of the theta band and beta band in the parietal, temporal, and anterior regions, respectively.

Conclusions: In summary, our findings indicate that TMS can safely modulate cortical oscillations and improve cognition in OSA patients. In the future, TMS can be utilized as an alternative treatment option to improve cognition in OSA patients.