What do I need to know about sleep apnea and how it affects my brain?
Sleep apnea robs you of a good night’s rest, making you tired, cranky, and less sharp throughout the day. But those aren’t the only things sleep apnea does to your brain. A recent study found a link between abnormal breathing patterns during sleep – like heavy snoring and apnea – and cognitive decline at an early age.
Researchers from New York University studied data from nearly 2,500 people between the ages of 55 and 90 with Alzheimer’s disease. “People with sleep apnea had an earlier onset of mild cognitive impairment compared to those without sleep apnea,” sleep specialist Harneet Walia, MD, says.
Mild cognitive impairment is when your memory is affected to the point that it is noticeable to others, but not enough to pose significant issues with one’s daily functioning, and is one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease. People with mild cognitive impairment are usually forgetful and may not remember recent events very well. They often need to write notes to remind themselves to do things that they would otherwise forget. The study also linked sleep breathing problems to an earlier onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers found that even though some people who sought treatment for sleep apnea still developed memory impairments, cognitive issues showed up about 10 years later than they did in people with untreated sleep apnea. So, it’s never too late to address longstanding sleep disorders. Your brain will thank you.