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Obstructive sleep apnea affects approximately 936 million adults globally, and is increasingly recognized not only for its numerous health risks but also for its detrimental effects on cognitive ability. New research suggests that sleep apnea can impair cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, reaction times, and emotional regulation and could also alter the brain's structure.
Studies have discovered that individuals with sleep apnea often have an enlarged hippocampus, the brain region involved in memory and learning. Additionally, those with reduced oxygen levels during sleep show changes in the brain's white matter, typically associated with aging-related brain conditions. Previous research also indicates that sleep apnea may elevate the risk of various conditions, including neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
In this study, approximately 2,600 Latino individuals with an average age of 68 were recruited. Latinos have a high prevalence of sleep apnea and are substantially affected by Alzheimer's disease for reasons that are not entirely clear. Therefore, assessing brain health markers in this group helps researchers identify early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease risk and brain health.
Participants completed a night of unsupervised home testing using a sleep apnea device, which recorded the number of times their breathing paused. The test also monitored episodes of shallow breathing and measured oxygen levels in their blood.
Ten years later, researchers conducted follow-ups with the study participants, all of whom underwent brain scans to assess their brain volume and detect any damage to their white matter. The analysis revealed that participants experiencing the most sleep issues exhibited increased brain volume in the hippocampus compared to those without sleep problems. An increased hippocampal size was interpreted as swelling due to inflammation or overall damage. Further analysis showed that lower oxygen levels during sleep correlated with both higher hippocampal volume and greater white matter damage in the brain.
The erratic and low-quality sleep associated with sleep disorders contributes to both immediate and long-term detrimental changes in the brain. Sleep acts as a protective element or a risk factor for cognitive health. Therefore, diagnosing and treating sleep apnea should be integral to strategies aimed at preserving optimal brain health.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Sleep Disordered Breathing and Subsequent Neuroimaging Markers of Brain Health in Hispanic/Latino Adults
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