![\"kids-asleep-school\"](\"http:\/\/web.colby.edu\/cogblog\/files\/2014\/11\/kids-asleep-school.jpg\")
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The specified study consisted of two groups: a control group of healthy individuals that showed no signs of issues with sleep, and a group of individuals diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). \u00a0Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by interrupted sleep as a result of blockage in an individual\u2019s nasal passageways, which results in decreased oxygen saturation. \u00a0A person\u2019s airways essentially collapse for a short period of time, and this occurs anywhere from zero to more than thirty times every hour. \u00a0The OSA group represents individuals that have a history of continued sleep deprivation. \u00a0The most evident symptom of OSA is excessive daytime sleepiness, but recent research has focused on the permanent cognitive impairments that can result in individuals diagnosed with OSA.<\/p>\n
Participants were subjected to five tests: a digit-symbol test (DST), a mini-mental state examination (MMSE), a brief cognitive screen battery (BCSB), a phonemic verbal fluency test (FAS), as well as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). \u00a0These tests were selected because collectively, they assess an individual\u2019s attention, memory, and executive functioning. \u00a0A brief overview of each test is provided in the referred article (see link at bottom). \u00a0The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a self-scored test that measures an individual\u2019s likelihood of falling asleep in different scenarios, and is used to better gauge an individual\u2019s degree of daytime sleepiness.<\/p>\n Attention is important because it plays a vital role in our ability to perceive the world around us. \u00a0It allows us to shift our focus to perceive the stimuli that we encounter everyday. \u00a0For example, when attending your morning lecture, attention allows you to focus on the professor\u2019s words and to effectively follow his or her train of thought.<\/p>\n Memory is another crucial cognitive function that we are using at every given moment. \u00a0Wherever you go, whatever you hear or say, taste or smell, all of this information is stored in memory. \u00a0Specifically, memory can be divided into short-term and long-term memory. \u00a0You can expect your short-term memory capacity to max out at around 30 seconds, and anything stored beyond that is encoded and stored in your long-term memory. \u00a0Without memory, our lives would consist of random actions and thoughts; imagine forgetting everything you say or do immediately after you do or say them. \u00a0Memory gives us the ability to learn from past events and to base that information on how we act in the future.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, executive functioning represents our mind\u2019s control or disciplinary system. \u00a0It is in charge of directing our attention as well as controlling what we think about. \u00a0It keeps our mental representations in check.<\/p>\n The results of the study showed that the MMSE scores were higher for the control group than for the OSA group. \u00a0For the DST test results, test results were similar, but the OSA group had lower scores in the number of cells satisfied, but committed fewer errors. \u00a0The results of the BCSB test showed that the control group performed better in incidental memory, immediate memory, learning, and delayed recall. \u00a0The control group performed significantly better in the FAS test. \u00a0The takeaway from this study is that continued sleep deprivation can lead to deficits in attention, memory, and executive functioning in the long-run.<\/p>\n Even though obstructive sleep apnea is fairly rare (it affects roughly 2-4% of the population), all of us are susceptible to sleep deprivation, especially during our college years. \u00a0Although most people don\u2019t suffer from sleep deprivation to the same degree that individuals with OSA do, it is important to realize that the results of this study don\u2019t apply solely to individuals with OSA. \u00a0It\u2019s important to remain aware of your sleep quality, and to try and maintain a proper sleep schedule. \u00a0Otherwise, if you continue to sacrifice your sleep, it may come back and bite you.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n