Hidden Dangers Of Sleep Apnea Revealed
A recent study suggests that sleep apnea may raise the risk of dementia, with a potentially stronger impact on women than men. The research, conducted by a team from the University of Michigan, highlights the importance of diagnosing and treating sleep apnea early. Dr. Tiffany Braley, the study’s lead author and head of the Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology Division at Michigan Health, noted that sleep apnea can impair cognitive performance, emphasizing that timely treatment could help mitigate these risks.
Published in Sleep Advances, the study followed 18,500 adults aged 50 and above, who provided detailed information on sleep quality and completed cognitive health screenings. Findings indicated that individuals with a history or symptoms of sleep apnea had up to a 5% higher likelihood of developing dementia, a figure that remained consistent even after adjusting for factors such as race and education. This increase in risk, while modest, was notable, particularly for women.
Women with sleep apnea appeared to be at greater risk for dementia than men, though the reasons are not fully understood. The researchers noted that sleep apnea in women is often associated with higher rates of heart disease and insomnia, both of which can negatively impact cognitive function. Additionally, hormonal changes, especially during menopause, may play a role. Dr. Galit Levi Dunietz, a co-author and associate professor in neurology and sleep medicine, pointed out that declining estrogen levels during menopause can lead to memory, sleep, and mood issues, potentially increasing vulnerability to cognitive decline.
In both genders, sleep apnea leads to sleep disruption, which can cause inflammation in the brain—a factor linked to cognitive impairment. However, as Dr. Braley explained, while the study establishes a correlation between sleep apnea and dementia, it does not confirm causation. Dr. Ronald Chervin, another co-author and head of Michigan Health’s Division of Sleep Medicine, emphasized that proving causation would require a lengthy randomized trial comparing the cognitive effects of treated versus untreated sleep apnea.
For now, Chervin advises that both clinicians and patients should keep in mind the potential connection between untreated sleep apnea and cognitive decline when deciding on screening and treatment.
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