A recent study published in Neurobiology highlights that individuals with sleep apnea who experience less deep sleep may show increased brain biomarkers associated with a higher risk of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive decline. This research involved 140 participants with obstructive sleep apnea, linking reduced slow-wave sleep to greater white matter hyperintensities and diminished axonal integrity—early indicators of cerebrovascular disease. Although the study indicates a strong association, it does not establish a causal relationship, and further research is necessary to clarify whether sleep disturbances influence these brain changes or if the reverse occurs.
The participants, averaging 73 years of age, did not exhibit cognitive issues at the study’s outset. The study determined that a 10-point decrease in slow-wave sleep correlates with an increase in white matter hyperintensities and decreased axonal integrity akin to aging effects. Those with severe sleep apnea displayed more extensive white matter hyperintensities and reduced axonal integrity than those with mild or moderate conditions. Researchers emphasized that improving sleep quality or treating sleep apnea could potentially alter the course of these brain biomarkers, warranting additional studies to explore this connection.
