Measuring the level of homocysteine—an amino acid—in the blood can help predict a person’s risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder characterized by recurrent interruptions in breathing due to relaxation of the throat muscles during sleep. This simple blood test can also help clinicians gauge whether a patient with the mild or moderate form of the disorder is likely to develop the severe form, according to a study conducted in Brazil by researchers at the Sleep Institute and the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP).
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