Obstructive Sleep Apnea May Actually Cause Memory Loss

People with obstructive sleep apnea in Jupiter already have plenty to worry about, including both chronic exhaustion and possibly disrupting the sleep of everyone around them due to excessive snoring. However, research has revealed they may need to be concerned about something else: their memory. Multiple studies have revealed a strong connection between Alzheimer’s disease and sleep apnea, meaning patients may be losing more than just their rest. Thankfully, the same research has also shown that there is a straightforward way for patients to protect themselves.

The Science

Sleep apnea has been known to cause minor memory problems for years, but connecting it to Alzheimer’s would be an important, if unfortunate, discovery. A lot of research has been dedicated to showing how they are intertwined, including:

• One meta-study revealed that patients with Alzheimer’s disease were 5X more likely to have sleep apnea than the general population.
• A study published in the scientific journal Neurology concluded that people with sleep apnea developed mild cognitive impairment (often a precursor to Alzheimer’s) about 10 years earlier than those without it.
• Another study found that patients with sleep apnea experienced a loss of hippocampal volume and developed white matter lesions in the brain, both of which are often associated with Alzheimer’s.
• In a study that looked at over 400 women, those with sleep apnea also had much higher rates of cognitive problems, including dementia.

The Good News

So, this research shows that there is definitely some kind of connection between sleep apnea and Alzheimer’s even though the scientific community as a whole doesn’t know specifically how it works. Fortunately, these studies weren’t all bad news. One conducted at the New York University School of Medicine reported that people who treated their sleep apnea with a CPAP machine gained about 10 years of normal cognitive function versus those who went untreated. In other words, getting your sleep apnea under control can do much more than just improve your sleep—it can literally keep your memories intact!

What to Do

If you or a loved one have sleep apnea, it’s always best to talk to a doctor so treatment can begin as quickly as possible. The brain and body need quality sleep every night in order to function and remain healthy, and properly managing sleep apnea is an easy way to greatly increase someone’s quality of life both physically and mentally. Basically, while the science is still out on why conditions such as Alzheimer’s and sleep apnea are connected, getting it treated is always the right way to go!  

About the Author

Sleep dentist, Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and longtime Florida resident Dr. Kenneth Mogell has been helping people sleep better for more than 30 years. At his practice, he provides specially-made sleep appliances and makes it much easier for people to get sleep testing in Jupiter. To learn more about sleep apnea and how you can get it under control so you can keep your memories as long as possible, he can be reached for questions through his website.