Symptoms of sleep apnea associated with cognitive impairment and memory issues

Sleep apnea, a sleep disorder, is when people stop and restart breathing repeatedly during sleep which can lower oxygen levels in the blood. Symptoms, known as apnea, include snorting, gasping, breathing pauses, loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and difficulty concentrating. People with the disorder may also experience morning headaches or have trouble focusing on tasks. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health complications such as hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and cognitive impairment.

“Sleep apnea is a common disorder that is often underdiagnosed, yet treatments are available,” said study author Dominique Low, MD, MPH, of Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. “Our study found that participants who had sleep apnea symptoms had greater odds of having memory or thinking problems.”

For the study, researchers included 4,257 participants who completed a questionnaire on sleep quality, memory, and thinking. For sleep, participants were asked about snorting, gasping or breathing pauses in their sleep. For memory and thinking, participants were asked questions related to difficulty remembering, periods of confusion, difficulty concentrating or problems with decision-making.

The findings revealed that among individuals with sleep apnea symptoms (1,079 participants), 33% reported memory or thinking issues, compared to 20% of those without symptoms (628 participants). After adjusting for factors like age, race, gender, and education, researchers observed that those with sleep apnea symptoms were approximately 50% more likely to experience memory or thinking problems compared to those without such symptoms.

“These findings highlight the importance of early screening for sleep apnea,” said Low. “Effective treatments like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines are readily available. Quality sleep, along with eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, social engagement and cognitive stimulation, may ultimately reduce a person’s risk of thinking and memory problems, improving their quality of life.”

Reference: Source: American Academy of Neurology