A new study published in Neurology indicates a link between severe sleep apnea and decreased brain volumes in the medial temporal lobe, particularly the hippocampus, among individuals with amyloid plaques, an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. This correlation, which could imply potential brain cell loss, was not observed in individuals without plaques. The research suggests that sleep apnea may pose additional risks for those in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, highlighting the need for further studies on sleep-disordered breathing treatments to potentially enhance cognitive function and slow neurodegeneration.
Conducted with 122 participants averaging 69 years of age, the study differentiated between subjects with amyloid plaques—26 of whom exhibited severe sleep apnea—and those without. The findings revealed that participants with plaques and severe sleep apnea were more likely to have reduced brain volumes in memory-critical areas. However, no definitive causality between sleep apnea and lower brain volume was established. The researchers emphasized the vulnerability of early-stage Alzheimer’s patients to sleep apnea, calling for further investigation into the effects of treating sleep disorders on cognitive health. The study was funded by various organizations, including the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program.
