Original Article at:
http://www.upi.com/ConsumerHealthDaily/vie...16-050417-5379r


Sleep apnea may be linked to aggression

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Sex offenders with obstructive sleep apnea experience more harmful psychological symptoms than sex offenders who sleep normally, says a Canadian study.

Sex offenders with known obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, were administered a treatment using continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, whereby compressed air is applied into the nose and/or mouth through a respiratory mask while the subject sleeps.

The subjects were given criteria and asked to score themselves based on personal anger, verbal aggression, hostility and physical aggression before and after treatment.

The subjects scored themselves significantly lower -- better -- post-CPAP treatment, but it is unclear whether this treatment will lead to observational changes in behavior, according to lead author Dr. J. Paul Fedoroff.

"The current study shows a potentially important relationship between sleep and aggression, and supports the need for further investigation of sleep disorders and disordered sexual behavior," says Fedoroff.

This study was published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.