ABSTRACT
There is a compelling and complex connection between sleep, mood, and behavior. The literature demonstrating the negative effects of sleep abnormalities on functioning has developed rapidly over the past few decades. Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have the potential to significantly disrupt sleep, which can lead to deficits in a variety of aspects of functioning. The daytime consequences of OSA can include excessive sleepiness, mood problems, cognitive problems, and functional impairments. OSA can also contribute to certain serious physical health problems, like hypertension, increased risk of heart disease, and increased risk of stroke. Not surprisingly, a patient’s quality of life is usually negatively affected. The following chapter will focus on the effects that OSA can have on mood and behavior. Because behavior is a broad and complex term, we will concentrate on the “neurobehavioral” sequelae of OSA, including cognitive impairments in a variety of different domains. We will also briefly mention the effects of OSA on sexual dysfunction and work-related behavior. We will address questions of specificity including which aspects of mood and neurobehavioral function are most affected by OSA. The chapter will also address questions designed to both summarize the existing literature and to theorize about the mechanisms behind the findings and their implications for future research.
