Sleep apnea may raise risk of memory & cognition problems

People suffering from sleep apnea where breathing repeatedly stops and starts are more prone to memory or thinking problems, according to a preliminary study.

The study, to be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 76th Annual Meeting in April, shows an association and does not claim that sleep apnea causes cognitive decline.

People repeatedly take pauses in breathing, as well as snort and gasp — all while in sleep. This lowers blood oxygen levels, making the condition potentially fatal.

The researchers showed that morning headaches or trouble focusing on tasks are more common among the people with the disorder.

The study involved 4,257 people, who completed a questionnaire asking about sleep quality as well as memory and thinking problems.

While 1,079 reported sleep apnoea symptoms such as snorting, gasping or breathing pauses in sleep, 357 people, or 33 per cent, reported memory or thinking problems compared to 628 people, or 20 per cent of people without the symptoms.

Further, the team found that people with the symptoms were about 50 per cent more likely to also report having memory or thinking problems compared to people without it.