REM Sleep Apnea Tied to Memory Decline
May 15, 2024
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3 min
5 Key Takeaways
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1
Obstructive sleep apnea during REM sleep linked to worse verbal memory in at-risk adults.
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2
Greater OSA severity during REM sleep associated with lower verbal memory scores.
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3
Older adults showed a more pronounced negative impact on verbal memory.
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4
Study raises potential significance of aggressive OSA treatment in reducing Alzheimer's risk.
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5
Study limitations include cross-sectional design and relatively small sample size.
Obstructive sleep apnea during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has been associated with worse performance on verbal memory tests in middle-aged and older adults at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study included 81 cognitively unimpaired adults with a mean age of 61.7 years, where greater obstructive sleep apnea severity during REM sleep was linked to lower scores on verbal memory tests. For older adults and individuals with genetic and parental risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, this association was even more pronounced. The findings underscore the potential significance of aggressive obstructive sleep apnea treatment in mitigating cognitive impairment and reducing the risk for Alzheimer's disease, particularly in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea and a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's disease.
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