Changes in Brain Function May Cause Poor Sleep-Related Breathing
A new study published in the journal Neurology has revealed a connection between sleep apnea and changes in the brain, specifically in areas related to memory and thinking. The research, which focused primarily on a Latino population, highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing.
The study found that for each additional interruption in sleep, the volume of the hippocampus—an area of the brain crucial for memory and learning—increased by 0.006 cubic centimeters. People with the most severe breathing disorders showed greater volume in the hippocampus. This increase is thought to reflect a possible compensatory mechanism of the brain against the damage caused by apnea.
The relationship between sleep apnea and brain damage is complex, and it is not yet completely clear how these disorders impact brain health across the lifespan. However, the study results indicate that sleep apnea can alter the brain in ways we don't yet fully understand, and could have long-term effects that manifest years after exposure to lack of oxygen during sleep.
The study also found associations between sleep apnea-related hypoxemia during REM sleep and white matter hyperintensities—markers of cerebrovascular damage—as well as structural changes in the medial temporal lobe, a critical memory region. Damage to small cerebral blood vessels from repeated oxygen deprivation can impair brain tissue health, possibly accelerating neurodegeneration.
The cognitive impairments linked to sleep apnea are wide-ranging. OSA often causes impairments in attention and vigilance, verbal and visual delayed long-term memory, executive functions (such as mental flexibility and decision-making), and visuospatial and constructional abilities. These cognitive deficits are thought to arise from both sleep fragmentation (interruptions to the sleep cycle) and the physiological stress of hypoxia during sleep. OSA-related excessive daytime sleepiness further worsens cognitive performance.
The study also found that untreated sleep apnea can cause persistent brain structural damage and cognitive decline, particularly affecting memory and executive functions, and increasing the risk for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Some cognitive impairments linked to OSA can improve with effective treatments such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, which alleviates airway obstruction and restores better oxygenation and sleep quality.
The study underscores the need for medical surveillance of people from an earlier age to further detect the long-term effects of sleep disorders. Future research should include more diverse samples to better understand how sleep-disordered breathing affects different populations. More in-depth and long-term research is needed to better understand the effects of sleep-disordered breathing on the brain.
Timely intervention for sleep-disordered breathing could prevent or mitigate some of the adverse effects on the brain, potentially improving quality of life and reducing the risk of cognitive diseases in the future. The study results emphasize the importance of diagnosing and treating sleep-disordered breathing early.
[1] [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028399019305783] [2] [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178118305943] [3] [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5552850/] [5] [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786543/]
- The connection between sleep apnea and brain health extended to changes in emotions, according to a neuroscientific study published in the journal Sleep.
- The research suggested that a decrease in sleep quality due to sleep apnea might negatively impact an individual's mental health, particularly in areas related to psychology and emotional regulation.
- Furthermore, the study showed that untreated sleep apnea could cause long-term cognitive impairments and structural damage to the brain, which might lead to an increased risk of developing medical-conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
- Health and wellness professionals should consider sleep apnea as a significant factor in overall brain health and mental-health, and focus on early diagnosis and treatment for better health outcomes.
