Sleep apnea and risk for cognitive decline

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may contribute to impaired executive function, memory, and attention. It can have a negative impact on the patient's physical and psychological functioning and quality of life.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬. It occurs when the muscles of the throat relax and block the airflow to the lungs. OSA can cause intermittent hypoxia which, if left untreated, can have 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. The symptoms include loud snoring, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, awaking with a dry mouth, etc.

Researchers found that people with OSA spend 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞, during which memories are stored and other key biological processes take place. They also tend to accumulate amyloid, which likely increases the risk of cognitive decline. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Sleep that men with OSA exhibited 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥.

𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 are available to treat OSA. The most common are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP machine) or mandibular advancement devices which 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩. Surgery to modify the structures of the throat or jaw may also be performed.