How does EEG contribute to the diagnosis of sleep apnea?

Electroencephalography (EEG) plays a vital role in the diagnosis of sleep apnea by evaluating brain wave activity in relation to respiratory events. During a sleep study, or polysomnography, EEG captures various brain wave patterns while the patient sleeps. These brain waves reflect changes in the sleep stages and can indicate interruptions in breathing.

When an individual experiences events like apneas or hypopneas during sleep, the EEG detects corresponding changes, such as arousals or shifts in sleep stages that indicate disrupted sleep architecture. The presence of these events can suggest the occurrence of sleep apnea, providing critical information for diagnosis.

The other options, while potentially relevant to sleep monitoring, do not directly involve the assessment of brain activity related to respiratory issues. For instance, recording heart rate does not specifically address the brain's response to apnea. Measuring oxygen levels pertains to assessing the physiological impact of sleep apnea but not directly to brain wave patterns. Tracking body movements may indicate restlessness but lacks the direct correlation with brain activity and respiratory events that EEG provides. Therefore, the contribution of EEG in diagnosing sleep apnea is distinctly focused on its ability to evaluate brain waves during these critical respiratory events.