Study shows a direct link between cognitive decline and sleep apnea.

• Studies have shown that sleep apnea may cause cognitive impairment.
• This research is unusual in that all participants were healthy and had no comorbidities.
• A study has shown that cognitive decline due to obstructive sleeping apnea in men can start as early as middle-age.

One condition known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is when a person’s sleep-related airway becomes intermittently blocked for a period of 10 seconds or more. This can lead to a reduction in cognitive function. It has been suggested that it could be due to metabolic or cardiovascular comorbidities.

A new study involving people with no comorbidities found that sleep apnea can lead to cognitive decline in middle age.

The study involved a unique group of men. OSA is usually diagnosed in people who also have systemic hypertension, hyperlipidemiaTrusted Source, diabetes, cardiovascular, and other metabolic diseases.

The fact that none of the participants in the study had such comorbidities makes this investigation the first to examine the cognitive effects OSA on healthy, non-obese individuals.

Researchers found that OSA was associated with poorer executive function and visuospatial memories, vigilance (sustained focus), psychomotor function and impulse control in otherwise healthy participants.

The study was published in Frontiers of Sleep.

What’s obstructive sleeping apnea?

An earlier analysis of Trusted Source data from 16 countries found that 936,000,000 adults aged 30 to 69 have mild-to–severe OSA and 425 million have moderate-to–severe OSA. The condition is thought to affect approximately 25 million Americans.

There are two types. The less common central sleep apnea is when the brain does not consistently send signals to the muscles controlling breathing.

OSA is becoming more popular.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the dilator muscles, which are responsible for keeping the soft palate at back of the throat open during breath, fail to function properly or the tongue can block the airway. The condition causes breathing to be interrupted. Sometimes, the patient does not wake up fully.

Examining healthy males

Researchers recruited 27 men with OSA who were recently diagnosed. The men were between 35 and 70 years old, with an average age 42.6 years. For comparison, seven unmatched individuals were used as controls.

Researchers compared cognitive function of individuals to those in the control group after a series o observations and measurements. They used the Cambridge neuropsychological assessment automated batteryTrustedSource to assess 11 cognitive domains.

Lead author, neuroscientist Dr. Ivana Rosenzweig (clinical reader in Neuroscience of Sleep at King’s College London), U.K.) recalled:

“Our international collaborators and our team have worked on this study for many years. It is taking us much longer than we originally thought.”

Dr. Rosenzweig gave credit to Dr. Dr. Rosenzweig credited the study’s unique cohort to Dr. Valentina Gnoni. She was a former doctoral candidate at King’s College London. Her team had “simply amazing” participants, she said.

Cognitive damage and OSA

Dr. Nadia Gosselin, a neuroscientist, explained that OSA can be caused by physiologic and Craniofacial particularities. These include a small chin, large tonsils, and large tongues. Nadia Gosselin from the University of Montreal (Canada), was not involved in the study.

She said that these particularities make a person more susceptible to upper-airway obstructions during sleep.

Although it is unclear how OSA causes cognitive decline, some of its key attributes could be responsible, such as sleep interruption, hypoxemia intermittent, neuroinflammation and oxidative StressTrusted Source.

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She also mentioned that systemic inflammation and dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier leading to neuronal deaths are possible other mechanisms.

Dr. Gosselin stated that one study showed an increase in oxidative stress, inflammation in the hippocamp and the anterior cortex. These brain regions are known to be early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease.

Symptoms of OSA

Dr. Rosenzweig said that there are many clues that someone may have OSA. OSA is often discovered by the person’s bedmate. OSA is a condition where someone experiences morning headaches, sleepiness throughout the day, or a greater need to urinate.

Dr. Rosenzweig suggested home pulse oxygen testing for anyone who is concerned about the possibility of developing this condition. You can arrange this through your doctor or at a clinic for sleep disorders.

Dr. Rosenzweig said, “Given the increasing recognition of OSA and dementia as well as a variety of serious diseases, it is important to not ignore any signs that one may have it.” Rosenzweig said.

How to treat sleep apnea

She said that OSA is often resolvable with lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, exercising more and losing weight.

Patients can be helped by doctors to manage OSA using a range of therapeutic methodsTrusted source.

The most popular OSA device is the CPAP, which applies Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) during sleep to maintain open airways. People with central sleep apnea may be prescribed CPAP or other breathing-assistance devices, such as medication.

Dental appliances and oral mandibular advancements devices are other options for OSA. These devices prevent the tongue from obstructing the throat. Surgery is also an option for OSA.