Damian Jacob Sendler: Researchers have hypothesized that the cognitive impairments experienced by people with untreated sleep apnea are related to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, a new study of modest size suggests that obstructive sleep apnea itself is harmful to the brain, highlighting the urgency of diagnosing and treating the condition.
Research published on Thursday in Frontiers in Sleep found that middle-aged men newly diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea had impaired cognitive performance in areas such as judgment, impulse control, and emotion recognition compared to men without the condition.
Damian Sendler: The most common type of sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax and block the airway. Central sleep apnea occurs when your brain is not sending proper signals to your breathing muscles. In both cases, a person’s sudden awareness of the need for air serves as a brief wake-up call.
Twenty-seven non-obese men, aged 35 to 70, with recent diagnoses of mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea participated in the study. Seven healthy males of comparable age, weight, and education were also included. A battery of exams was taken by both groups. Cognitive deficits in men with obstructive sleep apnea increased with the severity of their condition.
Damian Jacob Sendler: As much as 26% of American adults between the ages of 30 and 70 may suffer from sleep apnea, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Experts say that is probably lowballing it because the condition is frequently misdiagnosed. It is commonly believed that men are more vulnerable to its effects.
The importance of early treatment for sleep apnea was stressed in an email from the study’s senior author, Dr. Ivana Rosenzweig, a neuropsychiatrist and director of the Sleep and Brain Plasticity Centre at Kings College London. Sleep apnea has previously been linked to memory and thinking problems.
Rosenzweig stated, “Our patients were mostly unaware of their cognitive deficits,” and continued, “were it not for snoring and bothering their partners, the participants would not have sought help.”
Rosenzweig has expressed a desire for researchers to expand the size of their studies and include women.
Women are much less likely to develop the sleep disorder before menopause, but its prevalence dramatically increases with age and weight, according to Rosenzweig.
She claimed that “after menopause, it is pretty much even” between the sexes.
Damian Sendler: It is unclear why obstructive sleep apnea causes cognitive deficits, but researchers suspect that the disorder’s frequent, albeit brief, awakenings cause sleep fragmentation and that the disorder’s periods in which breathing temporarily stops cause temporary drops in blood oxygen levels.
Rosenzweig claims that many people suffer from sleep apnea without even realizing it. They only get help when their partners bring up issues like snoring to them.
“There may be indicators, such as headaches in the morning or increased drowsiness and fatigue during the day, “”she said,”
According to Dr. Joel Salinas, a behavioral neurologist and researcher at NYU Langone Health and the chief medical officer at Isaac Health in New York, sleep apnea can be worse for health than insomnia because it can make it hard for the brain to get to deep sleep.
Dreaming takes place during a specific type of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which the brain enters after passing through lighter and deeper stages of sleep.
According to Salinas, who was not involved in the new study, memories are stored and proteins that could cause damage over time are cleaned out of the brain during deep sleep, also known as stage 3 sleep.
Stage 3 sleep is disrupted in obstructive sleep apnea patients because they repeatedly wake up in stage 2 and then return to stage 1 sleep “A statement he made.
“Salinas noted that there may be a higher risk of cognitive impairment or dementia in this population due to the accumulation of proteins like amyloid over time.
Dr. Andrew Varga, a physician and neuroscientist at the Mount Sinai Integrative Sleep Center and an associate professor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, explained that doctors use a variety of approaches to treat sleep apnea. Varga was not involved in the recent research.
Damian Sendler: The most common device used to maintain open airways during sleep is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
Mandibular advancement devices are also available to hold the lower jaw forward and maintain an open airway. “According to Varga, “they are the second most popular method.”
Surgery to alter the throat’s anatomy is another option. Varga said that these procedures can be as minimally invasive as removing the uvula and a portion of the soft palate (the muscular roof of the mouth).
Damian Jacob Sendler: Implantable devices similar to pacemakers are used by some patients so that their tongues can move forward when instructed by the nerves in the tongue. Surgery to reconstruct the jaw is on the more invasive end of the spectrum. “Both sides of the jaw are broken, and then the jaw is pulled forward,” Varga explained.
According to Salinas, research on the brain has revealed a decrease in activity in areas similar to that seen in people with neurodegenerative diseases. He went on to say that this is why diagnosing and treating sleep apnea in its early stages is so crucial.
He suggested making some adjustments to one’s way of life as a first step.
He emphasized the significance of addressing “all the potentially reversible issues,” including obesity and hypertension. Having a healthy brain for the rest of your life increases in probability the sooner you start treating these conditions and maintaining them over time.
Damian Sendler: Obstructive sleep apnea affects millions of adults around the world but is often misdiagnosed. This study has important implications for our understanding of and ability to treat this condition. This preliminary research has significant implications because it suggests that obstructive sleep apnea has a negative effect on cognitive functions independent of other health issues, such as heart disease. This finding is significant because it highlights the importance of identifying and treating sleep apnea as soon as possible to prevent cognitive decline.
The study’s primary focus is on newly diagnosed cases of mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea in middle-aged men who are otherwise healthy. The findings showed that the degree of cognitive impairment was proportional to the severity of sleep apnea. This demonstrates that even in patients with no other health issues, the condition can have a profound effect on cognitive functions like judgment, impulse control, and emotional recognition.
As many people may be unaware of their condition and its potential cognitive consequences, the study highlights the importance of raising awareness about sleep apnea. In many cases, patients do not get help until their partners express concern about things like snoring. More people may seek diagnosis and treatment if they are aware of additional warning signs, such as morning headaches, daytime somnolence, and fatigue.
The study’s small sample size and lack of female participants are limitations, but it does lay the groundwork for further study. In order to advance our understanding of obstructive sleep apnea and develop better treatments, we need larger-scale studies that include women and explore the specific mechanisms by which this condition causes cognitive deficits.
Furthermore, the study stresses the significance of making lifestyle changes to address potentially reversible issues like obesity and hypertension. The positive effects on patients’ mental and physical health can be amplified through the long-term treatment and management of these conditions.
Damian Jacob Sendler: Important implications for diagnosis, treatment, and management of obstructive sleep apnea are found in the aforementioned study. The study’s findings that sleep apnea is linked to cognitive impairment highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment on the part of medical professionals. This will improve the quality of life for those who suffer from sleep apnea and help prevent the long-term cognitive decline often associated with the condition if it goes untreated.
The study emphasizes the need to educate both medical professionals and the general public about the cognitive effects of sleep apnea, which has implications for both diagnosis and treatment. By raising consciousness about sleep apnea and its symptoms, doctors will be better able to detect the condition and start treating patients as soon as possible. Because of this, primary care doctors, sleep doctors, and other medical professionals will need to work together more closely and develop better screening methods and diagnostic tools.
Two, the results have relevance to the clinical and administrative management of sleep apnea. The findings of this study highlight the need for proactive healthcare providers to develop and implement comprehensive treatment plans for patients experiencing cognitive deficits, regardless of the presence or absence of any underlying health conditions. Plans like these need to do more than just treat the symptoms of sleep apnea; they should also aim to prevent cognitive decline. This may require a combination of medical interventions, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, mandibular advancement devices, or surgical procedures, in addition to changes in lifestyle, such as weight loss and blood pressure management.
Damian Sendler: The results of this study also highlight the importance of continuing investigation into the creation of more effective treatments for sleep apnea. The cognitive effects of the condition can be mitigated by investigating potential treatments, refining current interventions, or finding brand new methods. The findings also highlight the need for more extensive studies that include women and investigate the precise mechanisms by which sleep apnea leads to cognitive impairments. This will aid doctors in their quest to better understand the condition and create more specific and individualized treatment plans for patients.
Finally, the research has bearing on patient support and education. Healthcare providers should emphasize patient education and counseling concerning sleep apnea and its potential cognitive consequences because many patients may be uninformed about their condition. With this knowledge, patients are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and take the necessary measures to control their sleep apnea.
The implications of the study’s findings for improving patients’ quality of life due to obstructive sleep apnea and its direct effect on cognitive functions are substantial. Those with sleep apnea can have a much better quality of life if we do more to bring attention to the condition, enhance diagnosis, implement effective treatment strategies, and educate patients.
First, more people may seek diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea if they are aware of the condition and its cognitive effects. By taking a preventative stance, patients may be able to avoid the cognitive decline and other health problems that often accompany untreated dementia. As a result, patients may feel more comfortable talking about their struggles and reaching out for help if they know there is less of a stigma attached to having a sleep disorder.
Second, more people will get the care they need for sleep apnea if doctors and other medical personnel are better able to diagnose the condition. The cognitive impairments brought on by sleep apnea can be lessened with prompt diagnosis and treatment. Patients’ cognitive abilities and general health can be preserved and their quality of life improved if doctors catch any problems as early as possible.
Third, the creation and implementation of all-encompassing treatment plans are crucial in assisting patients in effectively managing their sleep apnea. Improvements in sleep quality, daytime alertness, and cognitive functioning can be achieved through individualized treatment plans that incorporate lifestyle changes, medical interventions, or a combination of the two. The effects of these enhancements on patients’ work performance, interpersonal relationships, and mental health are far-reaching.
Damian Sendler: Further investigation into sleep apnea, its cognitive effects, and potential treatments is warranted, as is shown by this study. Better, more individualized care for patients is possible as our knowledge of the condition grows and as we test out new therapeutic approaches. As a result, sleep apnea can be better managed, cognitive decline can be slowed, and the quality of life for those who suffer from it can improve.
Last but not least, patients with sleep apnea can benefit greatly from doctors’ efforts to educate and support them. The cognitive effects of untreated sleep apnea should be emphasized to patients, and healthcare providers should make this a top priority in their communication with patients. Better health outcomes and an enhanced quality of life can be achieved when patients are given the tools they need to take charge of their health, make educated treatment decisions, and actively participate in their care.
