MIAMI: Researchers from the University of Miami have uncovered alarming links between sleep apnea and brain health. The study, published in Neurology, highlights how this under-recognized sleep disorder may contribute to cognitive decline and even increase the risk of dementia.
Sleep apnea — a condition affecting an estimated 936 million adults globally — disrupts breathing during sleep, depriving the brain of oxygen and restorative rest. This latest research sheds light on how these disruptions could lead to significant changes in brain structure.
Scientists found that individuals with sleep apnea tend to have an enlarged hippocampus, the brain's memory and learning hub. This unusual growth, attributed to inflammation and damage, was more pronounced in participants with severe sleep apnea. Furthermore, lower oxygen levels during sleep were linked to white matter damage, a critical factor in brain aging and disorders like Alzheimer’s.
Lead researcher Dr. Alberto R. Ramos emphasized the potential of treating sleep apnea as a strategy to mitigate dementia risk. “If sleep apnea affects brain health and increases the risk for dementias, then treatment could serve as a preventive measure,” he stated.
The study focused on Latino populations, who face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s and sleep apnea compared to other ethnic groups. Researchers followed over 2,600 participants for a decade, conducting brain scans that revealed increased hippocampal volume and vascular brain disease markers in those with severe sleep disruptions.
Experts like Dr. David Merrill stress the importance of quality sleep in maintaining brain health. “Sleep is not just rest; it’s repair,” he noted, highlighting the role of the brain's glymphatic system in clearing toxins during deep sleep.