A new study sheds light on how a particular kind of cell in the eye—crucial for light-related functions other than seeing—detects light and communicates with the brain. A better understanding of these cells may eventually help in the development of treatments for sleep problems or seasonal depression.
Cells in the eye called rods and cones are primarily responsible for detecting light. They send signals to the brain through retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) so the brain can form our perception of images.
Studies show that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects much more than just your sleep. It can even damage your brain.
A recent brain imaging study from France involved 16 adults. Each of them had just been diagnosed with sleep apnea.
In numerous brain regions the study found a loss of “gray matter”. This is brain tissue that contains fibers and nerve cell bodies. There also was a decrease in brain metabolism.
The authors suggest that these changes may explain some of the impairments that often occur in people with sleep apnea. Examples include attention lapses and memory loss. The study was published in the March 2009 issue of the Journal of Sleep Research.
